THE Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) and its allied groups will focus their February 26 and 27 forum at the Orchard Hotel in Singapore on inclusive growth and have invited Albay Gov. Joey Salceda to share with them his experiences and expertise in the issue.
The forum seeks to explore ways to achieve “inclusive economic growth in the new normal,” referring to situations of frequent economic dislocation resulting from calamitous weather disturbances brought about by climate change. Through Salceda’s highly acclaimed disaster- risk reduction (DRR) strategy, Albay has progressed significantly—despite its frequent mauling by devastating weather disturbances.
The Singapore forum is sponsored by PECC jointly with the Singapore National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (Sinpec) and the Philippine Pacific Economic Cooperation Committee (PPECC). In a letter dated January 26 signed by the heads of the three international bodies, PECC requests Salceda to talk on “Inclusive Growth: Building Capacity at Individual and Community Levels.”
“We would like to invite you… and share with us your views and experiences on how communities can better prepare for natural calamities that frequently impact our region,” the invitation said. The subject delves on Salceda’s pioneering DRR and climate-change adaptation programs in Albay, and which had gained successes and international acclaim, and for which he was named UN Senior Global Champion and Albay as Global Model.
The governor also served for year as cochairman of the UN Green Climate Fund (GCF), where he represented Southeast Asia and the developing countries, until October 2014. Under his watch GCF completed the requirements for the fund’s operationalization, including the collection of $10.3 billion from pledges by developed countries. The recent Lima, Peru, climate conference hailed Salceda’s GCF chairmanship a success.
The Singapore conference involves four plenary sessions on as many separate themes as follows: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) in a changing Global Context-Risks and Opportunities; Connectivity and Regional Economic Integration-Reaping the Benefits of Economic Integration; Financing Inclusive Growth; and Making Regional Economic Integration More Inclusive.
“The challenge is how regional economies can implement plans to ensure that regional growth is not only sustainable, but is also inclusive,” said the invitation signed by PECC cochairmen Jusuf Wanandi and Don Campbell, Sinpec Chairman Tan Khee Giap and PPECC Chairman Antonio I. Basilio.
It also noted that the Philippines takes on the Apec chairmanship “at a time of tremendous changes in the regional and international economy, and the recovery from the Global Financial Crisis remains fragile and, to a large extent, dependent on extraordinary economic stimulus.”
A number of senior officials meetings leading the Apec summit later this year, which the Philippines hosts, will be held in Albay.
PNA