The Philippines and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have signed agreements on blue carbon ecosystem and addressing plastic pollution on the sidelines of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ma. Antonio Yulo-Loyzaga signed the agreements on behalf of the Philippine government with WEF Center for Nature and Climate managing director Neo Gim Huay.

Gim Huay said the two agreements outline efforts of both the Philippine government and the WEF on how to protect and restore blue carbon ecosystem and address plastic pollution.

“The Philippines is a very important economy, being an archipelago. So, we hope that these agreements can catalyze a lot more communities, initiatives, public policy and corporate involvement in addressing and protecting our ecosystems,” Gim Huay said.

“The government is putting in place very progressive policies to address plastic pollutions including the extended producer responsibility where producers also need to be responsible and help manage the ways from consumption,” Gim Huay added in response to an interview with Malacañang Press Briefer Daphne Oseña-Paez.

She said she loves the “kinds of blue carbon marine protection projects” in the Philippines as she recalled her experience diving in Palawan province’s Tubbataha, which she called “one of the best marine parks in the world.”

Gim Huay also highlighted the importance of working closely with the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. who is driven to ensure a sustainable ecosystem and with global collaboration to translate commitments to tangible and practical solutions for communities on the ground.

WEF head of Ocean Action Agenda and Friends of Ocean Action Alfredo Giron Nava echoed Gim Huay sentiments, saying that the support of President Marcos is “extremely instrumental” as he emphasized that it will not materialize without the help of the government.

“The Philippines, being the leader, is just such a clear example of what can be accomplished in a global scale,” Nava said.

After the signing of the twin agreements, both the Philippines and the WEF will start sharing best practices to the communities, civil societies and corporate sector to translate the deals “into practical progress,” Gim Huay said. (PNA)