The Philippines and Japan agreed to cooperate to jointly address concerns regarding maritime safety, energy transition and decarbonization. Philippine Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga (front, left) and Japan Minister of Environment Ito Shintaro (front, right) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) that will enable both countries to share available experience and expertise in environmental protection, guided by the goals and principles of sustainable development. The areas of cooperation include climate change mitigation and adaptation; air and water quality management; chemical management; waste management — including plastic and e-waste; and biodiversity conservation. The Cooperation may take the form of regular policy dialogues; capacity-building through meetings, conferences, symposia, workshops, seminars and training; exchange of knowledge, experience, best practices, scientific and technical information and data on environmental policies; and exchange of information and consultations regarding global environmental negotiations processes and Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The MOC, signed during the Japan-Philippines Summit Meeting in Tokyo, is effective for an initial period of five years. ###
(Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Cabinet Public Affairs Office)