President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Thursday he will not be attending the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, citing important developments on the 17 Filipino hostages.
“In light of important developments in the hostage situation involving 17 Filipino seafarers in the Red Sea, I have made the decision not to attend COP28 in Dubai tomorrow,” the President said on his official X social media account.
“Today, I will be convening a meeting to facilitate the dispatch of ahigh-level delegation to Tehran, Iran, with the aim of providing necessary assistance to our seafarers,” President Marcos added.
The Chief Executive was scheduled to participate in the COP28 and pushthe country’s priorities on climate-related agenda, as well as energy and food security.
In a chance interview, Interior and Local Government SecretaryBenjamin Abalos Jr., who is also part of the country’s delegation,would not say what the “important developments” were, saying the issue was “sensitive.”
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ma. AntoniaYulo-Loyzaga will attend the conference and articulate the country’s views on the President’s behalf.
On Nov. 22, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that 25crew members of Galaxy Leader, including 17 Filipino seafarers, were taken hostage by Yemeni rebels in the Red Sea in retaliation for Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said the 17 Filipino seafarers held captive by Yemen’s rebel group Houthi remain in “good condition.”
“Government sources say that the hostages are in good condition andwill eventually be released. Efforts are ongoing for this to happen as soon as possible,” Daza said.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega earlier said there have been instances before that Filipino seafarers were taken to Yemen and all of them were eventually released.
The Houthis, an ally of Iran, have been launching long-range missileand drone salvoes at Israel in solidarity with the Hamas militants fighting in the Gaza Strip.
The Philippines expects the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP28) will produce meaningful commitments and decisions, especially on the Loss and Damage Fund that is expected to help affected countries tide over climate threats.
During the 114th session of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Council in Geneva, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo delivered a video message urging governments to give greater attention to the challenges brought about by climate change in the migration cycle.
He noted that climate-related hazards have an impact on human mobility and sustainable development, particularly in coastal communities, in the Philippines.
“Developing and island nations, like the Philippines, disproportionately bear the brunt of the climate crisis—yet are the least responsible for carbon emissions,” he said.
Manalo called on stakeholders to work together to better understand the interplay between climate and migration.
“In a world of increasing climate-induced human mobility, the role of safe and orderly migration—with full protection of human rights of migrants—becomes even more important,” he said.
Meanwhile, during the general debate, Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative Carlos Sorreta cited how crises around the world have affected the 10 million Filipino migrants.
He said a crisis halfway around the world “usually means that Filipino migrants are affected, and our government will always be ready to be there to assist them and reunite them with their families back home.”
Sorreta said it is important to cultivate positive perceptions of migration and migrants through balanced narratives, which could improve or detract from the welfare, well-being, and safety of migrants.