Loren, change to make an enduring difference

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
So much remains to be done to usher our desired change and to make an enduring difference in building the resilience of nations and communities.
The predominance of risks in our societies calls for urgent policy reforms. We need new policies that build local capacity beyond disaster response capability; new policies that link disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mainstream them into development action and formal education; new policies that reduce and not worsen existing vulnerabilities and risks; new policies that make reducing risk a prerequisite for development funding; new policies that ensure the resilience of our development investments; new policies that are backed by scientific studies and empirical proofs; new policies that are sensitive to indigenous knowledge systems; new policies that promote gender sensitivity and equality; new policies that uphold fairness and equity especially for the poor and disadvantaged.
There is no more appropriate time to show political will, good governance, and exemplary leadership than these trying times. Indeed, these times call for a new breed of leaders – leaders of integrity and responsibility, leaders of wisdom and compassion, leaders of conscience and conviction, leaders who are truly committed to eradicating poverty and uplifting humanity.

LOREN LEGARDA