THE PHILIPPINES is open to forging partnership with Vietnam to address “land-based and maritime pollution,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday.
During his separate meetings with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi, Marcos said the Philippines is keen on pursuing land-based and marine pollution abatement projects with Vietnam.
He cited the two countries’ vulnerability to climate change and stressed the need to explore opportunities for low carbon growth and other joint research initiatives.
“Recognizing the vulnerability of both our nations to climate change, I am eager to collaborate with Vietnam on projects focused on mitigating land-based and [marine] pollution,” Marcos said.
Following the recent adoption of a “Loss and Damage Fund” to help developing nations cope with the extreme impacts of climate change, Marcos said the Philippines is interested in having a seat on and hosting the Board of the Fund to “grant it the requisite legal personality and capacity to fulfill its duties.”
Marcos hopes that Vietnam will support the Philippines’ hosting of the Board of the Loss and Damage Fune.
“The offer to host the Board of the Fund is in line with the Philippines’ long-standing engagement on discussions of this Fund for the past decades, and it is our belief that all States must contribute to the success of its institutional architecture,” he said.
Circular economy
Marcos also emphasized the Philippines’ resolve to develop a circular economy that will reduce further consumption of natural resources, and develop an alternative method to current plastic waste management approach.
He said the Philippines is optimistic about the full implementation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Framework for Circular Economy, starting with different sectors depending on each country’s circumstances.
“The Philippines also recognizes that saving the environment is an existential issue that demands concrete, innovative, and immediate solutions. Thus, the Philippines welcomes an approach to economic development that maximizes all of its produces use in a manner that reduces further consumption of natural resources,” Marcos said.
“I believe that a circular economy is an important component for achieving sustainable economic growth and mitigating carbon emissions in ASEAN,” he added.
Considering the growing demand for responsible consumption and production, Marcos said the Philippines is committed to engaging the micro, small, and medium enterprises as they shift to greener practices.
Marcos said the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen the program and policies for a circular economy are essential in developing the Sustainable Development Goals.
He said such transitions will be “a long-term multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder process” which needs the strong support of both the private and public sectors.
“With our cooperation and the rest of ASEAN member states, I am certain that we can make the circular economy a reality for us in order to save our region’s natural resources and growing economies,” Marcos said. “I trust that Vietnam would be the Philippines’ willing partner in this endeavor, and we are eager to learn from Vietnam and from your good experiences.” (Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)
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