Masungi's Ann Dumaliang Will Address World Leaders at the U.N.
Ann Adeline Dumaliang, managing trustee of the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, will address world leaders at the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference during the Global Climate Action High-Level Event: Making Good on Promises on November 8, 2022, from 14:00-15:00 (+2 GMT).
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Ann and Billie Dumaliang and Their Fight for Masungi
The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, or COP27, is being held as the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference and occurs from 6 November until 18 November 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The event is convened by the High-Level Champions with the COP26 and COP 27 Presidencies and the UNFCCC Executive Secretary.
Ann Dumaliang (Photo by Jilson Tiu)
Dumaliang will be part of a multi-stakeholder panel that includes Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike, and will be moderated by Nigel Topping, U.N. High-Level Climate Champion of COP 26. At COP 27, Dumaliang will share examples from the Masungi story of how mobilization can be translated into implementation.
Drawing from the Masungi Georeserve Foundation’s experiences, Dumaliang is expected to speak about the role of civil society in driving climate adaptation plans to build a resilient future. She will also speak about how State Actors can benefit from collaboration with non-State Actors to elevate and accelerate action on this front.
In the Philippines, Ann and her sister Billie are at the forefront of climate advocacy, leading the charge for rainforest ??watersheds with Masungi Georeserve as the battleground.
Why Masungi Georeserve Gained Global Attention
Masungi Georeserve is an internationally awarded conservation project that is just a day trip away from Manila. It is the last protective shield of Metro Manila from flash floods, typhoons, and climate change.
Despite gaining worldwide attention, Masungi Georeserve has not shaken off the threat of land grabbers, encroachers, and illegal quarrying, all of which are very damaging to the precious ecosystem in the sanctuary.
Masungi Georeserve (Photo by Jilson Tiu)
Throughout its existence, the reserve has ensured the survival of over 400 species of flora and fauna, protected 60-million-year-old limestone formations, planted 40,000 indigenous trees, and employed over 100 locals who are now helping protect this piece of paradise.
“Masungi is home to hundreds of native plant and animal species that are part of Filipino natural heritage. Our forest is one of the last remaining forests near Manila and the way we take care of reflects how we care for our forests throughout the country,” Masungi Georeserve tells Esquire Philippines.
According to Masungi Georeserve, the watershed areas around Masungi protect the National Capital Region and Rizal Province from the worsening impacts of climate change. A 2017 World Bank study on the Upper Marikina Watershed revealed that intact forests can lower flood water volume by 27 percent to 48 percent versus a depleted forest.
Through forest restoration efforts, Masungi strives to help defend communities surrounding the watershed, especially those living in low-lying areas, from extreme flooding brought by typhoons or rainfall intensified by climate change.
