Tell it to Sunstar:

PH COP28 delegation must be with the people

e, representatives of climate vulnerable communities, members of the church and faith-based organization, youth, and members of civic movements – including Philippine civil society present in Dubai, UAE – express our grave disappointment at the Philippine Delegation’s failure to uphold meaningful participation of communities and civil society in the first-ever Philippine Pavilion at COP 28.

More than two decades of COPS have proven that the collaborative efforts of governments and non-governmental organizations is pivotal in achieving progress in the climate conversation. The Filipino community has notably been one of the strongest voices both inside and outside of the negotiation halls, contributing to landmark climate agreements and developments in Paris, Warsaw, Glasgow, and others.

For the first time, the Philippine government will be opening its own pavilion, signaling the country’s high stakes for this year’s climate negotiations. It is a space that has potential to facilitate critical intersectoral discussions for our people’s climate survival and to exhibit the Filipino solidarity for climate justice and action - especially against the backdrop of the tenth year anniversary of Typhoon Yolanda.

Unfortunately, it is clear that the inclusion of vulnerable communities and civil society is not a priority of the delegation, and the pavilion’s execution.

As the pavilion opens and the World Climate Action Summit starts today, we decry the lack of transparency and absence of a genuine attitude toward collaboration from the Philippine Pavilion Committee led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.. Despite compliance with the changing requirements from the Pavilion Committee, civil society groups without pre-existing ties with the Philippine delegation head were unable to receive formal and consistent communication regarding applications for pavilion events, including their eventual denial.

We are gravely concerned that this illustrates a prejudice against civil society raising critical discussions both at our home country and in annual climate negotiations.

This exclusion will only mean that difficult but crucial conversations meant to sharpen positions and raise ambitions will be buried under flashy pronouncements meant to paint the COP participation of the Philippine government a success.

Ultimately, it also reveals a government unwilling to listen and to be held to account. Whether the delegation represents the best interest of the people also becomes a question.*(power for People Coalition & Youth for Climate Hope Philippines)