National Consultation for the Philippines: A Review of the Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia (RRECCS)
Welcome Remarks by
Neeraj K. Jain
Country Director, Philippines Country Office
Asian Development Bank
Discovery Suites, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
29 April 2008
Your Excellency Ambassador Peter Beckingham (United Kingdom of Great Britain's Ambassador to the Philippines)
Distinguished experts, scientists, and colleagues
Ladies and gentlemen
Good morning.
We are delighted to welcome you all to the Philippine National Consultation Meeting for the Regional Review of the Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia (RRECCS). I am gratified by the presence of Government representatives, development partners, and top national experts.
This national consultation is timely. The 4th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Stern Report alert us on the serious development challenges posed by climate change. With its growing economy, Asia's share in global emissions of green house gases has rapidly increased. By 2030, nearly one third of global green house gas emissions would originate from Asia. It is therefore timely that Asia and Asians begin to understand the economic implications of climate change. For example, according to some estimates, I think from the World Bank, agriculture losses from climate change could exceed $100 billion and mostly in poor countries. Hence, this consultation today.
This consultation aims to introduce the regional study being undertaken by ADB to the Philippine participants. During this consultation, the national experts will present the results of the preliminary scoping work on local impacts of climate change and receive feedback from a distinguished group of local experts, and representatives of several key government agencies and research institutes involved in climate change. I am confident that the presentations in this consultation and the discussions that they ensure, will be stimulating, and will assist the Study Team to substantiate their findings on the status of climate change studies in the Philippines. I am also hopeful that the recommendations put forward at this national consultation will help ADB to formulate its approaches for the Southeast Asia region.
ADB is and continues to be actively involved in assisting efforts of our member countries to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Through the RRECCS, ADB aims to contribute to the regional debate on economic costs and benefits of unilateral and regional actions on mitigation and adaptation measures; and raise awareness of the urgency of climate change challenges and their potential socio-economic impact in the Southeast Asian region and concerned countries.
We are particularly pleased to have the opportunity to cooperate with the Philippines in the area of climate change. We will be working with the Government to help formulate adaptation and mitigation measures. We expect the RRECCS to help spur local, national, and regional actions that would lead to global solutions.
Finally, let me thank the participants here today for sharing their experience and expertise with us. I would also like to thank the Government of the Philippines for their leadership and initiative that have made today's national consultation possible.
I would like to thank the Government of Great Britain for its generous assistance in financing this RETA.
We look forward to your fruitful discussions.
Thank you.
News and Events 
Top of page
