Celebrating 10 Years of German-Philippine Climate Protection and Biodiversity Conservation

German Ambassador Dr. Gordon Kricke on 30 May welcomed numerous “friends of IKI” at his residence to celebrate Philippines-German cooperation in the fight against climate change and for the conservation of biodiversity. With numerous participants from government agencies, NGOs and German experts, the cheerful “IKI birthday party” brought together partners engaged in climate action with very diverse backgrounds – but all of them united through their involvement in Philippine-German joint efforts.

The International Climate Initiative (IKI) is a program of the German government established in 2008 with the Philippines as one of IKI’s focus countries in Southeast Asia. Since then the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) has supported projects in the Philippines with over 62 Million Euros. And Germany is even stepping up its climate engagement with the Philippines: the BMU has just dedicated additional funds of up to 35 million Euros for new activities – all chosen following the Philippine government’s declared focus.

To open the event, Ambassador Kricke highlighted important achievements of IKI in the Philippines throughout the last ten years, citing for example improved management of and livelihood in 160 out of 240 protected areas, successful protection of coastal environments and wildlife, or ambitious climate activities like the development of the Philippines national REDD+ strategy. For the Philippine government, Prof. Ernesto Pernia, Secretary for Socio-Economic Affairs and Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) confirmed the Philippine government’s appreciation for the German support through IKI. For GIZ, the main – but not exclusive – implementing agency of IKI activities, its Philippines Country Director Irina Scheffmann illustrated the width and depth of the Philippine-German climate partnership.

The first ten years of IKI collaboration have brought intensive cooperation – to be continued in the years to come!

For more information about the International Climate Initiative (IKI), visit: https://www.international-climate-initiative.com/…/about-t…/

Photo: from left: Dr. Bjorn Surborg, Principal Adviser and Cluster Coordinator for Climate Change, GIZ Philippines, Dr. Klaus Schmitt, Principal Adviser for Forest and Climate Protection Panay Phase II, GIZ Philippines, Mrs. Irina Scheffmann, Country Director, GIZ Philippines, Prof. Ernesto Pernia, Secretary for Socio-Economic Affairs and Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authoririty (NEDA), German Ambassador Dr. Gordon Kricke and Dr. Roland Schissau, Deputy Chief of Mission, German Embassy Manila