GFFA 2026 - Advancing Inclusive Global Water Governance: Philippine Perspective
Climate-vulnerable countries highlighted as key partners in sustainable solutions
February 04th, 2026
During discussions on “Water. Harvests. Our Future” at this year’s Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference, Philippine Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations, Agricultural Fisheries, Mechanization and Rural Credit, Roger Navarro, highlighted the importance of inclusive and coordinated international action to strengthen global water governance. He emphasized that every country has a distinct role to play and stressed that the voices of climate-vulnerable nations must be meaningfully reflected in global water dialogues.
Undersecretary Navarro underscored the need for stronger international cooperation, enhanced data sharing, increased technology transfer, and improved access to financing mechanisms that support water-efficient and smallholder-focused solutions, particularly in climate-vulnerable countries. He noted that such collective efforts are essential to ensuring resilient agricultural systems and safeguarding food security amid growing climate challenges.
He further outlined the Philippines’ national efforts as a climate-vulnerable country, highlighting significant investments in modern irrigation infrastructure, solar-powered irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, and improved on-farm water management. These initiatives aim to increase agricultural productivity while reducing water use and protecting soils and watersheds. He also referred to the country’s Water Code, which prioritizes water use for agriculture after domestic consumption and underscores the importance of Integrated Water Resources Management at the river basin level, alongside sustainable land management practices.
Undersecretary Navarro noted that among the priority legislative initiatives of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is the establishment of a Department of Water Resources. This proposed department would be mandated to oversee and manage national water resources with the objective of achieving universal access to safe, affordable, and sustainable water supply across the country.
The Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference and the 18th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture were held in Berlin from 14 to 17 January 2026, bringing together 59 Agriculture Ministers and Deputy Ministers from around the world. The Philippines’ active participation in these high-level forums reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainable water management, strengthening international cooperation, and contributing to global efforts to secure resilient food systems for the future.
