LEGAZPI CITY—The Pacific Economic Cooperation Council has invited Albay to share its disaster risk reduction strategy in a Singapore forum this month to help address the challenges of climate change.
The forum seeks to discuss ways to achieve “inclusive economic growth in the new normal,” referring to situations of frequent economic dislocation resulting from calamitous weather disturbances.
It coincides with the Philippines’ chairmanship and hosting of the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, several major activities of which will be held in Albay.
The Singapore forum, set on Feb. 26 to 27 at the Orchard Hotel Singapore, is sponsored by PECC jointly with the Singapore National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation Council and the Philippine Pacific Economic Cooperation Committee.
PECC in a letter dated Jan. 26 and signed by the heads of three international bodies requested Albay Gov. Joey Salceda to talk on “Inclusive Growth: Building Capacity at Individual and Community Levels” and “impart unequalled knowledge and practices”.
“We would like to invite you… and share with us your views and experiences on how communities can better prepare for the natural calamities that frequently impact our region,” It said in the letter.
The subject delves on Salceda’s pioneering DRR and climate change adaptation programs in Albay which had gained successes and international acclaim, and for which he was named UN senior global champion and Albay as global model.
Salceda was co-chair of the UN Green Climate Fund board where he represented Southeast Asia and the developing countries for a year, from October 2013 to October 2014. During Salceda’s term, GCF completed the requirements for the fund’s operationalization, including the collection of $10.3 billion from pledges by developed countries.
The recent Lima climate conference hailed Salceda’s GCF chairmanship a success.
The Singapore conference consists of four plenary sessions on the themes: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in a changing Global Context – Risks and Opportunities; Connectivity and Regional Economic Integration – Reaping the Benefits of Economic Integration; Financing Inclusive Growth; and Making Regional Economic Integration More Inclusive.
“The challenge is how regional economies can implement these plans to ensure that regional growth is not only sustainable but also inclusive,” according to the letter signed by PECC co-chairmen Jusuf Wanandi and Don Campbell, SINCPEC chairman Tan Khee Giap and PPECC chairman Antonio Basilio.