PH, South Korea fast-track climate and environmental cooperation deals

MANILA – The Philippines and South Korea are fast-tracking two agreements on environmental and climate cooperation ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila in November, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Wednesday.

DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna and South Korean Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Climate Change Jongho Kyun discussed the agreements during bilateral talks on Sept. 24 on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week NYC 2026 at the United Nations Headquarters, according to a news release from the agency.

Manila and Seoul are negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Environmental Cooperation and an MOU on Climate Change Cooperation.

The agreements are expected to cover Article 6 carbon market mechanisms under the Paris Agreement, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, water resource management and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction.

Cuna said climate commitments must be matched by policies, investments and technology, noting South Korea’s extensive experience in linking climate action with economic development, technology and infrastructure.

“As we move toward COP31, we see the priority increasingly shifting from commitments to implementation and delivery—translating climate goals into policies, investments, technologies, and measurable outcomes,” he said.

The DENR said the talks also tackled the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), particularly the need for vulnerable countries to have clear access to financial support after climate-related disasters.

During the talks, Cuna also cited the deadly flood in Nepal, and the Philippines which continue to face significant climate-related risks.

He also emphasized the need to strengthen international support for countries facing climate-related loss and damage.

“There is a need to establish practical pathways so that countries most vulnerable to climate impacts can access support when loss and damage occur,” Cuna stressed.

“The FRLD can play an important role in helping countries recover, rebuild, and strengthen resilience,” he added.

Cuna also thanked South Korea for its Official Development Assistance through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), which has supported marine plastics reduction and provided emergency aid during the Mindoro oil spill.

He also cited the recent deployment of the MV Nilad in Manila Bay as another area of cooperation.

“The recent transfer of the clean-up vessel MV Nilad through KOICA represents a major step in our efforts to remove marine litter and respond to pollution incidents in Manila Bay,” Cuna said.

He also noted additional support from South Korea, including a K-cleaner truck, which, he said, will further boost onshore waste management.

The DENR said the two MOUs are targeted for completion before the November summit, as the Philippines prepares to host the ASEAN Summit during its 2026 chairship.

-PNA / Marita Moaje