Duterte says same urgency needed to address climate change crisis with fight vs COVID-19

September 23, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte has underscored the need to address the climate change crisis with same urgency as that in fighting the coronavirus disease.

"The same urgency needed to fight COVID-19 is needed to address the climate crisis. This is a global challenge that has worsened existing inequalities and vulnerabilities from within and between nations," Duterte said in his speech during the General Debate of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York early Wednesday morning (Manila time).

He said that climate change has worsened the ravages of the pandemic, noting that peoples in developing countries like the Philippines suffer the most.

"We cannot afford to suffer more," he said, citing the Philippines' participation in the Paris Agreement to fight climate change.

Duterte also reiterated his call to other countries to honor their commitment under the Paris Agreement.

"We call on all parties, especially those who have not made good their commitment to fight climate change, to honor the same. We call on all parties to strengthen communities and peoples for preparedness and resilience. We are talking about mankind and Earth, our one and only home," he said.

Duterte earlier criticized some developed countries for their failure to abide by the Paris Agreement. Celerina Monte/DMS