The Philippines was recently chosen to join the Adaptation Fund Board, an international climate fund established as a financial mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that provides financing to projects and programs that help vulnerable communities in developing countries adapt to climate change.

The Adaptation Fund Board has 16 members and 16 alternates representing Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. The Philippines, through Department of Finance (DOF) Undersecretary Maria Luwalhati Dorotan Tiuseco, was elected to represent Non Annex I Parties (mostly comprised of developing countries).

During the 44th Board Meeting in Bonn Germany held from April 8 to 11, 2025, the Philippines contributed in shaping the direction and priorities of the Adaptation Fund, while advocating for the adaptation needs and priorities of developing countries.

The meeting resulted in key outcomes that will further scale up the mobilization of financing for adaptation projects. The Adaptation Fund Board decided on far-reaching reforms that will further encourage direct access and improve the scale of adaptation projects that may be implemented in vulnerable countries.

This includes doubling the country spending cap to USD 40 million, increasing the single-country program size from USD 10 million to USD 25 million, and raising the regional program size from USD 14 million to USD 30 million.

The resource mobilization goal of the Adaptation Fund was also set at USD 300 million for 2025, with a focus on implementing a robust and innovative strategy to meet its target.

To further increase the country’s access to the Adaptation Fund, the DOF is advancing its application to be a national implementing entity of the Fund, which will allow it to receive direct financial transfers to implement adaptation projects and programs.

This momentous achievement–the Philippines’ first appointment in the Adaptation Board was a result of the collaboration and close partnership with the country’s Adaptation Fund National Designated Authority–theDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the leadership of Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

During the meeting, the Philippines was able to secure its first AF financed project on harnessing the water-energy-food nexus to address and adapt to climate change impacts in Tawi-Tawi, worth USD 10 million. The project will be implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) in coordination with the DENR as the National Designated Authority (NDA).

Apart from the Adaptation Fund, the Philippines is also equipped with other funds such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the People’s Survival Fund (PSF).

The Philippines was renewed for another term in the GCF Board for 2025 to 2027, with Undersecretary Tiuseco sitting as an Alternate Board Member under the Asia Pacific Group Constituency.

Meanwhile, the Philippines continues to strengthen and increase the accessibility of the PSF, the country’s dedicated national fund for adaptation, where the Secretary of Finance serves as the Chair of the Board.