01 October 2023, Seoul – Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivered the congratulatory remarks at the opening of the “Regional Training on Gender-Transformative Disaster Risk Reduction” hosted by the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality from 06-08 September 2023 in Seoul, ROK.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega commended the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality for its tremendous efforts in strengthening the partnership and network among countries in Asia and the Pacific to advance gender equality to accelerate sustainable development. Highlighting that climate solutions that do not include women in decision-making are not climate solutions for all, the Ambassador emphasized that including women in gender-responsive disaster risk reduction and planning efforts creates resilience. She emphasized that natural disasters affect everyone but in different ways and women and girls are among the most vulnerable sectors especially in feminized environments like agricultural communities, MSME ecosystems, and health thus their ideas and views have to be included in disaster risk response planning. Citing as an example the tremendous benefit Filipino migrant women add to the ROK agriculture and fisheries sector and the impact of climate change in their livelihoods and families, the PH Ambassador to Korea underscored that, “When women's capacities, knowledge, and skills are utilized in disaster risk reduction efforts, we will all benefit”.

The three-day training was attended by 44 government representatives and experts from Bangladesh, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Solomon Islands, Thailand and Vietnam. It provided a platform for participants to strengthen their technical knowledge and capacity to integrate gender-based approaches and apply gender mainstreaming tools in disaster risk reduction and resilience policies and programs.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha L. Olavario also participated in the policy forum on “Integrated Approaches to Climate Change, Gender, and Science and Technology”, another activity initiated by the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender and Equality aimed at exploring the intersectionality between gender and climate change. The workshop reported that women continue to be outnumbered and outranked in the climate negotiation table despite the fact that women in parliament are more likely to ratify climate policy decisions.

The seminar also identified that more women need to be recruited in the field of electricity (EV, solar panels, and women in renewable energy jobs are at 32% globally) as women in energy are faring better at green jobs traditionally held by men and the need to introduce innovative policy tools address women-dominated labor forces vulnerable to climate impact such as agriculture and fisheries. Over 70 participants comprised of government officials, members of the academe, civil society organizations, officers from diplomatic missions in Seoul and UN experts shared the view that climate change is closely linked to gender issues and emphasized the importance of women’s participation and leadership in the development of climate technology.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul continues to advocate for a gender-responsive approach to climate change solutions and green technology. The Embassy is also pleased to acknowledge the many trailblazing Filipinas in several multilateral and international organizations such as the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank, and the Global Green Growth Institute who joined the series of workshops and training programs held in Seoul. END