Food, energy and climate summit slated in RP

MANILA, Philippines – Key United Nations (UN) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) officials will speak in a food, energy and climate summit seeking to raise public awareness on these three interconnected issues in the Philippines next week. Stephen Anderson, UN country director and representative to the Philippines for its World Food Program and Xianbin Yao, ADB acting director general for regional sustainable development, will speak at the said summit organized by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM). The summit aims to discuss these issues and find ways to mitigate adverse effects of climate changes to food and energy and vice versa. UN experts have warned that rising food prices could spark worldwide unrest and threaten political stability, according to AIM. A recent World Bank report revealed that at least 33 countries are facing political and social unrest due to rising food and energy prices. The report already noted riots and unrest have erupted in 22 of these countries. Meanwhile, the International Alert (IA), a London-based peace-building organization, released its own report in November 2007 highlighting the "risks of conflict and instability as a consequence of nations' inability to adapt to climate change". The said report identified 46 countries facing a high risk of armed conflict as a "knock-on" consequence of climate change. IA's list includes the Philippines as well as India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, all of which have a history of armed conflict. Foreign affairs secretary Alberto Romulo and Agriculture secretary Arthur Yap will also be delivering keynote presentations in the summit which happens August 27 at the Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City.