Manila, Philippines, 27 February 2024 – The Senate of the Philippines unanimously concurred in the ratification of the Host Country Agreement (HCA) between the Republic of the Philippines and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), fortifying GGGI’s presence, programs and green growth interventions in the Philippines.

The important moment was made extra special as the concurrence was done in the presence of GGGI’s President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council and 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations Mr. Ban Ki-moon and the GGGI Philippines country team headed by Country Representative Marcel Silvius.

In December 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the HCA allowing for its ratification, but needed concurrence from the Senate.

The Senate also unanimously adopted a resolution honoring Mr. Ban for his outstanding global contributions through his stellar and decades-long career in foreign diplomatic service, championing the UN sustainable development goals, including climate action, as the world’s top diplomat.

In his address to the Philippine Senate, Mr. Ban called for the urgent prioritization of global action, at all levels, to combat global challenges such as the climate crisis.

“There has never been a more vital time in history to come together in cooperation, partnership and solidarity to redouble our efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and implement the Paris Climate Change Agreement,” he said.

Mr. Ban also noted that Philippines and South Korea will celebrate their 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations on March 3rd, and added that he hopes this friendly bilateral relations will continue to be deepened and expanded for the mutual benefit of both nations.