President Rodrigo Duterte urged on Wednesday parties of the Paris Agreement to honor their commitment to fighting climate change.

“We call on all parties, especially those who have not made good their commitment to fight climate change, to honor the same,” he said in a speech at the High-Level Debate of the 75th United Nations General Assembly.

Developing countries like the Philippines are the most affected by the effects of climate change, which has “worsened” the ravages of the pandemic, he said. “We cannot afford to suffer more.”

He said it was just as important to address climate change as urgently as the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

“The same urgency needed to fight Covid-19 is needed to address the climate crisis. This is a global challenge that has worsened existing inequalities and vulnerabilities from within and between nations,” he said.

In 2017, Duterte signed the Paris Agreement which aims to reduce the emission of gases that contribute to global warming.

The Philippines earlier pledged a 70-percent cut in emissions by 2030. (PNA)

Photo Credit: www.pcoo.gov.ph