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Vienna, 10 October 2024 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in collaboration with C40 Cities, hosted a crucial “Fireside Chat on Urban Heat” at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna. The event brought together key figures from urban development and experts from academia to address the growing threat of urban heat, a pressing issue as climate change accelerates and urbanization intensifies globally.
Assistant Secretary Romeo M. Montenegro of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), representing the Philippines, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in mitigating the risks of urban heat. He emphasized that the Philippines, like many developing nations, is experiencing the compounded effects of rising temperatures, which impact public health and strain infrastructure and economic resilience. ASEC Montenegro shared that in Mindanao, localized solutions such as green infrastructure and heat-resilient urban planning are being piloted, underscoring the Philippines’ active role in driving innovation to combat urban heat.
“Urban heat presents a direct challenge to sustainable urban-industrial development, and we must work together to ensure our cities are equipped to adapt to these changes while protecting their most vulnerable residents,” said ASEC Montenegro.
Other speakers, including Ms. Ilusha Gallage, Deputy Municipal Commissioner of Colombo, Sri Lanka, also provided insights into how their cities are responding to the threat of rising temperatures through innovative solutions and community-focused approaches.
The fireside chat, moderated by Ms. Kiana Shahbazi of C40 Cities, encouraged knowledge sharing and collaboration among cities worldwide. The dialogue aimed to inspire action and promote best practices for building resilient cities capable of withstanding the challenges posed by urban heat.
As cities worldwide continue to grapple with the impacts of climate change, discussions like these play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable urban development.
Photos: Hedi Bousnina
About the Author
Maria Zelda “Marizel” Rojas is a dynamic leader and influential figure in Filipino and international communities. As the Chairperson of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora-Austria (ENFiD-Austria) and a board member of ENFiD, she champions the cause of Filipino expatriates in Europe. She also serves as the President of the Bikol Society Austria (BSA) and is the Founder and former president of the Philippine Austrian Cultural and Educational Society (PACES).
Rojas plays a key role in numerous organizations, including as an adviser and former president of the Vienna International Centre Club Filipino (VIC CF), a board member of the United Nations Correspondents Association Vienna (UNCAV), and a councilor for the Philippines with the European Police Association (EPA). Her passion extends to community building, as shown by her work as an auditor for the Vienna International Centre Gastronomy Club (VIC GC) and her involvement with the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN), which honored her with the prestigious “Most Influential Filipina Women in the World” (Global FWN100™) award in 2019.
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