Cebu is positioning itself as a future-ready province anchored on sustainability, resilience, and inclusive growth as it hosted the inaugural ASEAN–EU Sustainability Summit 2026 ahead of the 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the province is shifting beyond its traditional role as a tourism and business hub by strengthening long-term programs focused on climate resilience, sustainable infrastructure, energy transition, and digital governance.
“Cebu is now positioning itself as a province ready for the future—one that understands that real progress must also be sustainable, resilient, and inclusive,” she said during the summit opening on Thursday.
The summit brought together around 200 government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and development partners. It was organized by the EU–ASEAN Business Council and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines as part of ASEAN 2026 chairship activities.
Discussions centered on economic resilience amid global energy volatility, supply chain disruptions, and rising costs, alongside sustainability efforts across Southeast Asia.
Baricuatro said Cebu is prioritizing projects on climate-resilient infrastructure, water and flood management systems, renewable energy expansion, and waste management improvements.
She added that the province is also investing in food security, healthcare systems, transparency, and digital governance to strengthen public service delivery.
“As Governor, one of my priorities is to ensure that development in Cebu is not only fast, but meaningful and long-term,” she said.
She stressed that partnerships between governments, businesses, and development institutions remain essential in addressing sustainability challenges.
“This is why partnerships matter,” Baricuatro said, noting that the summit serves as a platform for shared solutions toward stronger and more resilient economies.
European business leaders also used the forum to push deeper ASEAN–EU cooperation on energy transition, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy initiatives.
European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines president Paulo Duarte said sustainability has become central to economic competitiveness amid global uncertainty.
“Sustainability is no longer optional. It is central to economic resilience, competitiveness, and long-term growth,” he said.
He pointed to renewable energy expansion and the proposed ASEAN Power Grid as key steps toward lowering costs and improving energy integration in the region.
Duarte also highlighted opportunities in modernizing agriculture through climate-resilient technologies, precision farming, and stronger cold-chain systems, citing significant post-harvest losses in the Philippines.
On waste management, he urged ASEAN countries to shift toward circular economy models focused on reuse, recycling, and resource efficiency, while calling for faster regulatory processes to attract green investments.
The summit also comes as negotiations for a Philippines–European Union free trade agreement continue, which stakeholders say could further support sustainable growth and investment flows.
Held ahead of the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit, the Cebu forum served as a platform for government, business, and development partners to align strategies on sustainability and long-term economic resilience. (LLP)
Photo courtesy of Cebu Province
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