Muñoz, 12 to 14 July 2016. The fifth phase of the project was launched on 12 July 2016 in the Philippines. For the first time, in this phase the project will focus on the South/Southeast Asia region. Together with their partners from Nepal, Viet Nam and the Philippines, six German municipalities have now embarked on a process to develop a joint programme of action for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The three-day kick-off workshop, which took place from 12 to 14 July 2016, was attended by some 60 participants, including policymakers and administrators from the municipalities taking part, as well as civil society actors. This time the workshop was held in collaboration with the Southeast Asia Secretariat of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. Prior to the conference ICLEI had already helped the German side connect with the Philippine partner municipalities, and over the next few months will continue to support the newly established Philippine-German climate partnerships together with the Service Agency and LAG 21.
As well as providing comprehensive background information, most importantly the three-day workshop gave the partners an opportunity to meet each other and share ideas. For many participants this was actually the first time they had met their partners face-to-face. Four partnerships have only just been established as part of the climate partnerships project.
The kick-off workshop was opened by the welcome address to all participants delivered by Mayor Alvarez of the Science City of Muñoz. He emphasised the importance of international exchange among municipalities on climate change, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. He also said how much he appreciated the engagement of the municipalities involved in the fifth phase. As part of this fifth phase, Muñoz itself is entering into a new climate partnership with Marburg: 'It's a very good match, because Marburg is a university city and there's much we have in common', said Mayor Alvarez. The first day of workshop ended with the ceremonial handing over of the memoranda of understanding to the participating municipalities.
