Event registration close one-hour prior to event time.
The Philippines is among the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change, with impacts already felt today through extreme weather events, rising concern about sea level rise, and threats to biodiversity. Following COP28, join us for a discussion about what was accomplished, what is ahead for the Philippines, and where there are opportunities for the United States and the Philippines to work together on climate resilience.
Read Tracy Rouleau’s co-authored report: Measuring Multidimensional Climate Risks in Dagupan, Philippines.
This event is co-hosted with the US-Philippines Society.
Keynote Speakers
Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines
Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga was sworn in as the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on July 19, 2022. Prior to this, she served in numerous high-level positions related to sustainable development, including as President of the National Resilience Council, Director of the UN Disaster Risk Reduction Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies, and Executive Director of the Manila Observatory.
Michael Schiffer, Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Asia, USAID
Prior to joining USAID, Mr. Schiffer served from 2012-2022 as a senior advisor and counselor on the Democratic Staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. From 2009 to 2012, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs.
Featured Speakers
Tracy Rouleau, Nonresident Fellow, Stimson Center; President of TBD Economics LLC
Tracy Rouleau is the President and Founder of TBD Economics, LLC which brings bring clear, high quality and understandable economic analysis to government, private, and non-profit firms. She is a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Blue Economy and Editorial Board Member for the Journal for Ocean and Coastal Economics. Previously she was Deputy Chief Economist for NOAA.
Butch Meily, President, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF)
Butch is President of Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, a private sector disaster management organization that includes major business groups. He heads IdeaSpace, a startup accelerator, and QBO Innovation Hub, a public private partnership to mentor startups. Previously, Butch served as First Vice President and Special Assistant to PLDT’s chairman, president of PLDT Smart Foundation, and Vice President of Communications for TLC Beatrice International.
Belen T. Fernandez, Mayor of Dagupan City
Ms. Belen T. Fernandez was elected to be the City Mayor of Dagupan in 2022 for the second time, after a distinguished career serving in city government as Mayor from 2013-2019, as Vice Mayor from 2007 to 2013, and as City Councilor from 1995 to 1998. She also served as the President of CSI Group of Companies from 1998 to 2013.
Moderator
Hank Hendrickson, Executive Director, US-Philippines Society
Hank Hendrickson helped launch the US-Philippines Society in Washington D.C. in May 2012 and continues to serve as the Society’s Executive Director. He is a former U.S. Foreign Service Officer with postings in East Asia (Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, & Korea), Europe, and the Middle East. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he was a commissioned officer in the Navy. Hank graduated from Bucknell (BA) and holds a master’s degree from Georgetown University (MSFS).
Welcoming Remarks
Brian Eyler, Southeast Asia Program Director, Stimson Center
Brian Eyler directs the Southeast Asia Program and the Energy, Water, and Sustainability Program. He is an expert on transboundary issues in the Mekong region and specializes in China’s economic cooperation with Southeast Asia and is a leading voice on environmental, energy, and water security issues in the Mekong. His first book, Last Days of the Mighty Mekong, was published by Zed Books in 2019.