SM Prime’s Hans Sy champions private sector role in disaster resilience at UNDRR Global Platform 2025

Mr. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, reaffirmed the critical role of the private sector in advancing disaster risk reduction (DRR) during the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Global Platform 2025 held in Geneva, Switzerland.

SM Prime’s Hans Sy (second row from the top, second from the left) joins Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General Kamal Kishore (first row, fourth from the left), Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. (second row, first from the right), and world leaders at the Global Platform 2025 organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), set at Geneva, Switzerland from June 2-5. Photo from Antoine Tardy for UNDRR.

Private sector: A key player in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) 

Representing the Philippine private sector at the Ministerial Roundtable themed “Accelerating Financing and Resilience: Tailored Solutions for DRR,” Mr. Sy emphasized the importance of embedding resilience into business strategies. “Resilience strengthens businesses while safeguarding lives and communities,” he stated. “We know that the government cannot do it alone. The private sector is ready to do more.”

Mr. Sy highlighted SM Prime’s commitment to DRR through strategic investments, allocating significant project costs to disaster-resilient infrastructure and leveraging science-based planning. He also promoted public-private partnerships, such as the Adopt-a-City Program with the National Resilience Council, and capacity-building initiatives with ARISE Philippines (Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies) and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Representing the private sector, Mr. Sy (third from left) participates in the Global Platform’s Ministerial Roundtable to tackle accelerating disaster risk reduction finance and resilience.

Integrating DRR into core business strategy

At the High-Level Dialogue on scaling DRR financing solutions, Mr. Sy shared insights on what motivates private developers to invest in resilience. He shared SM Prime’s experience in integrating DRR into its core strategy. “Disasters may be unpredictable, but the impact does not have to be—we can, and we must, prepare, mitigate, and adapt,” he emphasized. He cited resilient design features in SM malls, such as elevated structures, rainwater catchment systems, and earthquake-resistant engineering, which have minimized damage and ensured business continuity.

At the Global Platform’s High-Level Dialogue on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) financing solutions, Mr. Sy shares that past experiences give him the drive to consistently invest in resilient infrastructure. Photo from Antoine Tardy for the United Nations Office for DRR.

Mr. Sy called for enabling mechanisms to scale DRR investments. “Scaling up DRR financing is a combination of policy, incentives, and institutional approaches,” he noted. “From the standpoint of the private sector, incentives—financial, regulatory, and non-financial—are among the most effective and attractive methods.”

His remarks underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and long-term thinking in building resilient communities. SM Prime’s leadership in DRR continues to set a benchmark for sustainable development in disaster-prone regions.

“Together, we can embed resilience to build a sustainable and secure future for all,” he concluded.

Mr. Sy’s participation reaffirms SM Prime’s leadership in climate resilience and its commitment to inclusive, science-based solutions for a safer world.