The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has elected former Energy Secretary Vincent Perez, Jr. to the International Board of Trustees of the WWF – International, the first Filipino to become a member of the prestigious board.

The WWF, the world’s leading conservation organization, is headquartered in the US and works in 100 countries.

The WWF International Board is responsible for the conduct, administration and representation of WWF globally. It is also responsible for establishing the management structure of the foundation.

“Asia is the world’s fastest-emerging market. However, development usually comes with hefty ecological costs. We must ensure that Asian development is done responsibly — through sustainable, low-impact and climate-conscious steps,” Perez said.

“Progress can never take precedence over the fragile ecosystems which provide food, water and renewable energy. Should our efforts meet success, we can ensure the productivity of the Coral Triangle for years to come,” he added.

According to WWF-Philippines vice chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Lory Tan, WWF’s International Board is meant to represent the diverse cultures and initiatives of WWF.

“Vince [Perez’s] election represents the global significance of the Coral Triangle, which sustains over 120 million people in six countries, including our own,” Tan said.

“The Philippines is amongst the most productive countries in this region – yet it is threatened by destructive climate shifts and unchecked human impacts. His appointment is a big step not just for the country, but for the region – as it will highlight the importance of the Coral Triangle,” he added.

The Coral Triangle covers almost 2.3 million square miles of ocean across six countries in the Indo-Pacific: Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste. The Coral Triangle contains 75 percent of all known coral species, more than half of the world’s reefs, 40 percent of the world's coral reef fish species, and six of the world’s seven species of marine turtle. It also contains 51 of the world's 70 mangrove species and 23 of the 50 seagrass species.

Currently, Perez is the chairman of the WWF – Philippines and is the CEO of renewable power company Alternergy Partners.

Perez served as energy secretary from June 2001 to March 2005 under the Arroyo administration. He also served briefly in 2001 as undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Perez obtained his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1983 and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Economics from the University of the Philippines (UP). He was a 2005 World Fellow at Yale University, where he lectured an MBA class on renewable power in emerging countries.