PH Senate approves privileges for PH-hosted international climate body

The Senate on Monday unanimously approved on third and final reading an agreement granting privileges and immunities to the Board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, which is headquartered in the Philippines.

Voting 17-0 with no abstentions, lawmakers adopted Senate Resolution No. 642, sponsored by Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri.

The resolution formally provides Senate concurrence to the Host Country Agreement signed between the Philippine government and the Board on November 12, 2024.

Selected to host the international climate body on July 9, 2024, the Philippines committed to recognizing the Board’s legal personality and capacity to execute transactions.

The agreement grants the Board privileges and immunities on par with those extended to international organizations.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ratified the accord on July 4, 2025, before transmitting it to the Senate for concurrence.