[Left to Right] Dr. Moya Collett (Embassy of Australia), Dulamkhorloo Baatar (Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development),Secretary Robert Borje (Climate Change Commission, Philippines), Erry Riyana Hardjapameka (KAKI Alliance, Indonesia), and Sankhitha Gunaratne (Verité Research, Sri Lanka)  discuss key trends, challenges and opportunities in the region and explore how open government solutions can drive transitions. 

Manila, Philippines | The Climate Change Commission (CCC) reaffirmed its commitment to open and inclusive climate governance, emphasizing its role in strengthening climate resilience and sustainable development at the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting in Manila. 
 

Speaking at a high-level panel discussion, CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje underscored the importance of transparency, accountability, and participation in addressing climate challenges across social and national boundaries.
 

During the plenary session “A Regional Agenda for Open Government: How Economic Development, Democratic Security, and Open Government Go Together,” Secretary Borje highlighted the Philippines’ efforts to institutionalize inclusive governance frameworks, citing the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and the Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan (NDCIP) as key examples of collaborative policymaking under the Marcos administration.
 

“Under President Marcos’ leadership, climate action has been prioritized through clear governance frameworks that encourage meaningful participation,” Borje said. “The NAP was completed in under 10 months, and the NDCIP in just five months, demonstrating that when governance frameworks are in place and stakeholders are actively engaged, we can achieve both strong outputs and impactful outcomes.”
 

Borje also emphasized the need for greater transparency and accountability in climate finance, citing the Climate Change Expenditure Tagging (CCET) mechanism, which tracks the allocation of climate-related funds.
 

“CCET allows the public to see where climate funds go, making financial flows more transparent and ensuring that investments lead to meaningful outputs and outcomes,” Borje explained. He also advocated for expanding open governance frameworks at the regional level, proposing an ASEAN-wide open governance framework for climate finance and carbon markets.
 

Addressing the need to balance high-quality deliberation with high-quality investment, Borje pointed to the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2020-2040. “The Philippines recognizes that climate action and shift to renewable energy must be both ambitious and well-planned,” he said. “At the same time, we are strengthening governance structures to ensure investments are transparent, inclusive, and accountable.”

As a call to action, Borje stressed the vital role of civil society organizations (CSOs), research institutions, and advocacy groups in ensuring climate finance accountability and policy effectiveness.
 

“Governments must not work in silos. Meaningful participation leads to stronger policies, better implementation, and greater public trust,” he stated. “Our commitment to open governance means breaking down barriers and equipping communities with the knowledge and tools to take action, so we can build a culture of appreciation for open climate governance mechanisms that drive real, lasting resilience across the Asia-Pacific.”
 

The event gathered government officials, civil society leaders, and policy experts to explore how open governance principles can advance sustainable development in the region. Together with Secretary Borje, the panel featured a diverse group of experts in a session moderated by Joseph Foti, OGP Principal Advisor for Emerging Issues.
 

Dr. Moya Collett, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of Australia discussed critical technology and regional cooperation, emphasizing the need for AI governance, human oversight, and efforts to combat misinformation in government decision-making.
 

Erry Riyana Hardjapameka of the KAKI Alliance, Indonesia, highlighted anti-corruption measures in private sector development, citing investigations into MaxPower contracts and state electricity management systems to reinforce transparency.
 

Dulamkhorloo Baatar of the Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development addressed the dangers of misinformation, particularly recurring disinformation campaigns on uranium mining, and stressed the importance of networks and partners in providing accurate context.

Sankhitha Gunaratne of the Verité Research, Sri Lanka connected public finance and governance to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, explaining how governance-linked bonds incentivize reforms by tying debt restructuring to governance improvements.
 

The CCC remains a strong advocate for open governance principles for climate policy development in the Philippines, ensuring that adaptation and mitigation align with national and global commitments.