The EU-Philippines partnership for a greener future

DIPLOMATIC POUCH

- MASSIMO SANTORO

April 22 marked Earth Day. This is an important annual event to raise awareness and inspire action for the protection of our planet and its natural resources. From rising sea levels and extreme weather events to deforestation and loss of biodiversity, the planet is under unprecedented stress.

In today's complex geopolitical environment, Earth Day serves as a powerful reminder that environmental sustainability transcends borders and political divides. Environmental health and political stability are reliant on each other, as the impacts of environmental degradation—such as the damage caused by increasingly strong natural disasters, food insecurity, displacement of vulnerable communities and resource conflict—affect everybody.

Earth Day calls on the global community to prioritize the planet, foster partnerships and build a more sustainable and peaceful future. As former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon once said, "There is no Plan B because there is no Planet B."