By convening a very high-level panel of industry experts, government officials and civic leaders to discuss and share challenges and opportunities for cities across the Pacific Rim, the Pacific Cities Sustainability Initiative (PCSI) Second Annual Forum has raised the importance of sustainability and resilience especially among the leaders in the Philippines. The theme of this year’s Forum held on 11-13 March 2014 in Manila Philippines is Creating Resilient and Livable Cities. Dr Rodel Lasco, OML Center Scientific Director was invited speaker in the Session on Cities in the Age of Climate Change.

Besides the technical support provided by the Lopez group for the success of the Forum through Dr. Lasco’s role as a speaker, the OML Center also gave financial contributions through co-sponsorship. OML Center Chairman, Mr. Federico Lopez; Corporate Sustainability Officer of the Lopez Group, Ms. Agnes de Jesus; and OML Center Program Manager, Ms. Perlyn Pulhin also showed support through their active participation at the Forum. Over 150 experts and practitioners from the Asia Pacific region and the Philippines gathered for this event.

A joint project of the Asia Society and the Urban Land Institute, PCSI is a collaborative dialogue that fosters long-term sharing of urban sustainability strategies between communities across the Pacific Rim. PCSI’s guiding principles are to showcase and share solutions that emphasize livability for urban citizens and that ensure today’s and tomorrow’s cities are designed, built, and governed around the needs of all its inhabitants. The mission of PCSI has never been more relevant and timely, given the recent events of Typhoon Yolanda.

PCSI Forum which was organized by the Asia Society and the Urban Land Institute, in partnership with the APEC2015 National Organizing Council (APEC-NOC) has a key part in the APEC-NOC’s “livable cities” agenda. Also working with the World Wildlife Fund and National Competitiveness Council, the Forum with exposure to and interaction with international experts, gave an opportunity to build capacity among local government unit (LGU) leadership, planners and developers including the hosting of APEC meetings in 2015. The overall program included a competition among at least 20 Philippines cities around livability, sustainability and resilience.