November 20, 2025
Days before 30th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Climate (UNFCCC) also known as COP30 in Belém, Brazil, The Climate Reality Project Philippines hosted a self-organized dialogue on the Global Ethical Stocktake (GES) harnessing the voices of leaders in Southeast Asia, and our collective power towards climate action.
Entitled Connect, Care, Commit, this event was also supported by Climate Reality Indonesia and AktivAsia. The event aimed to localize the GES by fostering a space of reflection among Southeast Asian advocates within the Climate Reality Project network.
“When we look back to the topic that we have now—it’s called Connect, Care, and Commit. It’s really more about understanding our roles, not just within ourselves, not just with others, not just within the country, but also within the region,” said Aimee Oliveros, Interim Branch Manager of Climate Reality Philippines.
Climate Reality Philippines Interim Branch Manager Aimee Oliveros opens the event with a message of strengthening solidarity among Southeast Asian regions
The Global Ethical Stocktake (GES) is a major official initiative launched by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and UN Secretary António Guterres, operating under the trust of the COP30 Presidency.
Designed as a moral complement to the technical Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement, its purpose is to confront an ethical gap between knowing what needs to be done and the collective failure to implement climate solutions at the necessary pace and scale. The GES posits that the primary barrier to effective climate action is no longer a lack of technical solutions, but a deficit of ethical commitment and collective will.
“This initiative, as supported by the COP30 Presidency, reminds us of the simple truth: the greatest barrier to solving the climate crisis is no longer technology,it is the lack of ethical will and collective determination,” said Dr. Amanda Katili Niode, Director of Climate Reality Indonesia.
Climate Reality Indonesia Director Dr. Amanda Katili Niode discusses the importance of the GES in the ongoing COP30 in Brazil
Participants in this hybrid dialogue were Climate Reality Leaders and civil society representatives from across the Southeast Asian region. This gathering aimed to strengthen the moral argument for developed nations and major emitters to fulfill their climate finance obligations and transition commitments, fundamental in supporting the most vulnerable and upholding the 1.5°C goal.
“We welcome all of you knowing that we are all disturbed. We welcome your concerns about this issue and the survivors of the extreme weather events and the slow-onset events that are related to this climate crisis. The question lingers, how can our communities not just survive— but thrive?” said Francis Joseph Dela Cruz, co-founder and Country Lead of AktivAsia Philippines.
AktivAsia Country Lead Francis Dela Cruz leads the onsite dialogue with Pinoy Climate Reality Leaders
Part of the event was to contextualize the Global Stocktake in SEA, and how it plays into the world’s potential future climate action initiatives. Discussing this was Carmina Gabrielle Villena, Senior Climate Policy Analyst at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities
“The Global Stocktake provides evidence-based foundation for action, identifying where we are, where we need to go, and how we can bridge that gap through cooperation and ambition,” said Villena.
A clear, powerful message emerged from the dialogue—the path to effective climate action lies in confronting the moral and ethical deficits in missing the mark to a 1.5°C global limit.
Southeast Asian communities are known for their resilience, and it’s a deep-rooted cultural wisdom tested by time. For SEA participants, reminiscing into the region’s traditions signifies that countries unique practices evidently reinforce a community philosophy that humanity’s role and as part of a living interconnected system, is never to dominate nature, but stewards of it.
Moving forward, SEA issues a compelling call to redefine accountability, amplify grassroots influence, and strengthen political will from the ground up. The dialogue championed a people-centered approach to climate action, envisioning a concept of People’s Determined Contribution to complement national policies with community-defined commitments that are just, inclusive, and firmly rooted in realities on the ground.
Local folk group Anima Tierra closes the night with ethnic tunes inspired by indigenous communities’ traditional music
“We hope that this dialogue will just be the start of building those deep connections. And if we are to build deep connections, we have to talk about our stories, our diversity, where we come from, and why we are here,” said Elainne Lopez, Country Manager of AktivAsia Philippines.
The cross-cultural dialogue culminated in a commitment ceremony, wherein participants voiced a collective call to action ahead of COP30. Their message underscored not only the urgency felt across the vulnerable nations of Southeast Asia, but also the responsibility of the Global North to take the lead in reducing their emissions, deliver on climate finance pledges, and support just transition in the Global South.
Participants united together to voice the frustrations and hope of climate-vulnerable nations to the world leaders at COP30
“We present to the Global Ethical Stocktake and to COP30 the resilience of our communities, the frustration of years of delayed action, and the unwavering demand for moral accountability and action. The world is watching, Belem,” an excerpt of the commitment statement reads.
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