Topic: Promoting Ecologically Sound Development Strategies
Country: Philippines
Delegate Name: Carter Mullins
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Philippines position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
Protecting the biodiversity and health of our planet is critical for every living thing on it, be it animal or human. People have fought for centuries to preserve the fragile wonders of the world, yet there have always been those who fight it or refuse to help. Yet the irony of this situation is that they are only putting themselves at danger — what they see as an insignificant plot of land is vital to the survival of every living thing on the planet, including the 1.2 billion living in poverty. In 1972, the United Nations met in Stockholm to pass the Declaration of the Human Environment to help countries simultaneously manage their ecosystems and poverty and inequality problems. Ever since, the UN has fought to combat threats from demographic changes, over-consumption, and environment-damaging technology in an effort to save our planet from destruction and to give future generations a healthy home. The UN understands that these go hand in hand, as one cannot improve without the other. It is critical that the UN, and UNDP in particular, address this topic in every country as it is not exclusive to any borders or race and will have repercussions for centuries if not dealt with properly. As a country completely surrounded by water and with fragile ecosystems, as well as high rates of poverty, the Philippines is rightfully concerned with this issue and must work thoroughly to protect the unique archipelago we call home. The Philippines must work to meet the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals, which include eradicating poverty and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to help end poverty, eliminate inequality and injustice, and fight climate change by 2030.
The Philippines has fought long and hard to preserve its life, promote environmentally-friendly means of development, and reduce poverty. In 1996, the Philippines hosted several Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) related meetings to discuss possible outlets for sustainable development in the near future. Among other possible solutions, the meetings concluded the need to enhance the capacity of the environment and to develop innovative approaches to sustainability has never been greater. The Climate Change Commission here signed a partnership agreement with the UNDP on Match 4, 2016 to increase national capacities to create a more sustainable country. This will be done through striving to achieve several sustainable development targets set by the commission, as well as fighting to prevent drastic climate change and reducing disaster risk through the regulation of pollutant production. Our country has moved very quickly in this modern age in an effort to build a more sustainable environment for its people and to be a positive example for the world; however, we still lack the funds and support to become a global powerhouse in sustainability, and thus we still fall far behind countries such as China and Japan. To this end, we have worked with such individuals as the Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, Haoliang Xu, to better structure our own government to formulate laws and enable communities to combat the threat of climate change risks.
Much progress has been made in creating a more sustainable Philippines, with several programs and junctions working ceaselessly to promote joint eco-friendliness and progress through the government and the people. While our country has done fantastic work within its borders, The Philippines believe it is not only beneficial, but necessary, to collaborate with other countries to help promote sustainability here and abroad. The ultimate goal should not be so narrow as to look for sustainability in one’s own country; rather, the goal should be to spread the mindset worldwide and work towards creating a sustainable planet. We thus recommend other countries to do just that: look beyond your borders and work with your neighbors to create a better world, one where the threats of climate change and poverty are negligible. Just as we are striving to do, we hope other countries become leaders in this field for those governments and economies that struggle to catch up to the modern world.
