Photo from Rappler
French president Francois Hollande arrived today in the Philippines for a two-day state visit on climate change. In his opening statement for the joint press briefing after the bilateral meeting, he announced that France is offering 50 million euros (roughly P2.4 billion) to help prevent future disasters.
According to the French president:
I have offered to President Aquino 50 million euros through the French Development Agency to work on projects to prevent some further disasters from happening.
Photo from Associated Press
The offer is in relation to the recent natural disasters that affected the Philippines, and the launching of the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change. President Hollande also said:
We will work together on innovations that will be a point of reference, examples for the entire world….If our partnership can be seen as outstanding, then we can have show that technology, science, are at the service of mankind, and it would be very much be the purpose, the meaning of the appeal that we will launch today.
For his part, Philippine president Benigno S. Aquino III thanked Hollande for the “fraternal solidarity.” This solidarity will be strengthened in the three agreements by the two countries, which seek to “better understand, plan, and manage the consequences of climate change on the environment and marine resources,” and to “help improve the living conditions of communities dependent on marine resources.”
What do you think of this partnership? Share your thoughts below!
