President Marcos encouraged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to contribute to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, emphasizing that climate change remains the "most defining challenges of our time."

During his intervention at the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit on Tuesday, May 27, Marcos reiterated that both regions are climate vulnerable. Thus, as a host to the Loss and Damage Fund, he encouraged contributions to it.

"Climate change remains one of the most defining challenges of our time – if not the most defining challenge of our time. Both our regions are climate-vulnerable, and our populations face significant climate-related risks such as sea level rise, rising temperatures, desertification, and loss of biodiversity, among others" Marcos said.

"As host of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), the Philippines would like to encourage contributions to that Fund," he appealed.

The President said the Philippines’ hosting of the Loss and Damage fund will accelerate the unhindered access of developing nations to climate finance, which shall aid in the development and implementation of transformative and science-based strategies and initiatives for climate change adaptation, mitigation, and disaster risk management, towards ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth for all.

In his intervention during the 46th ASEAN Summit plenary on Monday, Marcos also urged partners of the ASEAN to increase climate finance to enable the region to achieve its goals to combat the effects of climate change.

In his intervention at the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit, Marcos stressed that it is necessary to provide freedom of navigation to guarantee unimpeded commerce.

"The South China Sea and the Arabian Sea cover vital sea lanes that serve as lifelines to regional and international commerce both in our regions," Marcos said.

"As such, it is necessary to provide the freedom of navigation, to guarantee unimpeded commerce, and to protect the marine environment through compliance with established international law, specifically UNCLOS," he added.

The President also called upon all parties to adhere to their obligations in protecting civilians as he conveyed grave concern over Israel's military operations across Gaza.

"The Philippines is gravely concerned over Israel’s ongoing military operations across the Gaza Strip, which have resulted in the continued rise of the death of civilians, including women and children, and further exacerbating the dire humanitarian situation on the ground," Marcos said.

"The Philippines calls upon all parties to adhere to their obligations under international law, with particular emphasis on the protection of civilians, especially women and children, and the facilitation of humanitarian assistance to all those who are in need," he added.