The opening of the Weaving Resilience: Learning from the Ground, Sustaining the Future convergence was marked by an inspiring keynote message from H.E. Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke, whose remarks underscored the importance of building resilience through genuine partnerships, community leadership, and sustainable development:
“Good morning to our partners, friends, and colleagues in Mindanao gathered today to mark the conclusion and share lessons learned during the Green Fiber Project. Germany has been a trusted and long-standing partner of the Philippines in initiatives that promote sustainable livelihoods for rural indigenous communities in the country.
I am pleased that today’s event marks the culmination of one of these projects and provides a platform for stakeholders to come together to reflect and share their valuable lessons learned.
Germany was proudly able to support AWO International through its partner EcoWeb in the Green Fiber Framework and the RE-powered ABACA Fiber Processing Facility model, cooperative and social enterprises, as well as community livelihoods.
It is my hope that the communities, people’s organizations, government agencies, and development partners participating in today’s event will help in sustaining approaches and models that prove to be successful.
I encourage you to build on the practical knowledge gained during the implementation and embed these strategies into local policy and action to ensure long-term viability.
This would not be possible without the much appreciated support from government partners in the communities. I understand one of the highlights of this event will be the formal turnover for the renewable energy-approved ABACA processing, innovation, drying, storage, and training facilities in Agusan del Sur under the Green Fiber Initiative.
I applaud the dedication and untiring commitment of everyone involved to reach this milestone. These facilities serve as a concrete model of climate-resilient and low-carbon solutions enterprise, benefiting indigenous communities.
In the Philippines, Germany has been a reliable partner for many years in efforts aimed at protecting our climate and the environment. Hence, endeavors like the Green Fiber Initiative are an inspiring example proving that climate resilience and indigenous economic development and security can advance hand-in-hand.
Through Germany’s International Climate Initiative, ICI, Germany has been supporting a variety of initiatives in the country since it was launched in 2008.
This includes projects on sustainable cities and transportation, energy transition, protection of ecosystems and many more. A wide range of additional projects funded through our other German ministries and funding lines also support climate or environmental protection in the Philippines. They are implemented by a vast network of local partner organizations across the country.
Finally, I would like to congratulate EcoWeb for celebrating its 20th anniversary of its humanitarian, development, climate and peace work this year. This is a remarkable achievement. Dear friends, while a lot has been accomplished, I am confident that EcoWeb and its partners will continue to make a difference in communities in the Philippines. I wish you all the best for your work. Thank you very much.”
