Philippines

12.23.2008
Challenges in the coming year by Ban Ki-Moon
The coming year will be a narrative of tension - a series of difficult choices between the imperatives of the present and those of tomorrow. How we resolve this tension will be the measure of our vision and our leadership. As a community of nations, we face three immediate tests in the coming year. The first has just begun. Not the global financial crisis, important as it is. I am speaking, here, about climate change, the one truly existential threat.

12.18.2008
Clean Energy and Green Environment Meet At the Green-E Awards and REDIES Launch
The 2nd Green-E awards and the launch of the REDIES (Renewable Energy Database and Information Exchange System) was held recently at the Makati-Shangri-la Hotel. The event was supported by the World Energy Council and the Department of Trade and Industry-United Kingdom, which is also known collectively as the Center for Sustainable Energy-Southeast Asia. The award is a project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Department of Energy Capacity-Building to Remove Barriers to Renewable Energy Development (CBRED). 

12.16.2008
Protection of Samar forests gets boost
Efforts to protect the country's biggest protected area got a much-needed boost on Sunday with the launching of the second phase of Samar Island Biodiversity Project (SIBP). A stakeholder meeting was held to come up with a strategy that will ensure the sustainable development of the 333,000-hectare Samar Island Natural Park (SINP).

12.15.2008
The way ahead on climate change
The financial crisis has been uppermost in the minds of most world leaders. Yet, however high the price of a global bail-out, we know one thing: it pales next to the enormous costs - and profound human consequences - of delaying action on climate change. There is a sort of beauty in this predicament: if we act wisely, we can tackle both crises at once. Climate change negotiations over the next year offer an unprecedented opportunity to build a more profitable, safer, and sustainable global economy.

12.15.2008
UNDP extends RP development aid for two more years
The Philippines will continue to receive substantial amount from UNDP in support of its development agenda after the 2010 election. Renaud Meyer, country director, said that upon the request of the government, UNDP has decided to extend assistance to the Philippines for another two years to align with the national calendar.

12.11.2008
UN Civil Society Assembly
The UN Civil Society Assembly (UNCSA) held on 9 December reaffirmed the partnership between the UN and civil society in the Philippines to work together to improve development effectiveness, advocate cross-cutting development issues and identify strategic issues to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

12.08.2008
UNDP-Philippines Joins Mindanao Week of Peace Activities
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Director Renaud Meyer led UNDP-Philippines participation in the annual observance of the Mindanao Week of Peace, highlighted by activities held in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Sharif Kabunsuan province on 1-2 December 2008. Mr Meyer was joined by movie actor and celebrity Mr Robin Padilla, who is Peace Champion for the GoP-UN Action for Conflict Transformation (ACT for Peace) Programme in Mindanao.

12.02.2008
UN Volunteers Celebrates International Volunteer Day & National Volunteer Month
In celebration of the International Volunteer Day and Philippine’s National Volunteer Month, United Nations Volunteers (UNV), in partnership with the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), will host a Symposium on Youth Volunteering and HIV/AIDS Prevention on December 5th at Philippine Normal University in Manila, followed by Advocacy Run for Volunteerism on December 7th at University of the Philippines—Diliman in Quezon City.