Manila: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is stepping up regional cooperation on loss and damage as member states seek stronger support systems for communities affected by climate change-related disasters across Southeast Asia.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a news release Wednesday, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna underscored the importance of prioritizing closer cooperation among member states, through the ASEAN Climate Week. He stated that as ASEAN chair this year, the Philippines is advancing closer and better cooperation on loss and damage as a key priority to help build a more resilient and responsive region amid increasing climate threats.
At the opening of ASEAN Climate Week 2026 in Manila on Monday, DENR officials and concerned stakeholders noted that mitigation and adaptation efforts alone are no longer sufficient, stressing the need to prepare for climate impacts that cannot be fully prevented. These include the destruction of homes, loss of income, and interruptions in essential services following extreme weather events.
Cuna emphasized that the regional bloc is prioritizing closer coordination, resource-sharing, and technical collaboration among member states, and developing clearer pathways for accessing international climate finance. He highlighted that regional efforts focus on improving climate risk management and expanding data-sharing systems.
'What ASEAN is doing with regard to this is pushing for stronger coordination and collaboration among ASEAN member-states, and also pushing for the sharing of resources and technical expertise,' Cuna said. He added that the Philippines has initiated dialogue and studies through the ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change, aiming to assess the readiness of different ASEAN states to deal with climate change and identify their specific needs.
The initiative aims to improve disaster response systems, speed up assistance after typhoons and floods, expand access to rebuilding funds, and support recovery in vulnerable sectors, including agriculture and fisheries.
