In a compelling speech at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos emphasized the urgent need for global cooperation to tackle the escalating climate crisis. She highlighted the human toll of climate change, noting that it affects millions of families who are victims of a crisis they did not cause. Araneta-Marcos called for immediate action and innovation across nations to forge sustainable solutions to this global challenge.
Speaking at the Climate Adaptability and Energy Forum, she stressed that no single country can address this issue alone and urged for a collective effort. She pointed out the Philippine government’s commitment under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030, as part of a broader socio-economic transformation strategy. Additionally, she mentioned the launch of a National Adaptation Plan aimed at bolstering the resilience of communities, especially in terms of infrastructure and energy.
Araneta-Marcos underscored the Philippines’ vulnerability to climate change, being one of the most at-risk countries globally. She referenced the impact of six tropical cyclones that struck the Philippines within a month in late 2024, affecting 30 million Filipinos. She advocated for the sharing of best practices and technologies to facilitate a fair energy transition and emphasized the importance of equipping future generations with the necessary knowledge and tools to confront climate challenges.
The First Lady concluded her address by calling for immediate collective action, warning against waiting for another crisis to spur response. Her message was clear: the time to act is now, and it must be a united effort.