MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines and New Zealand signed a Joint Declaration to develop a climate cooperation framework, the Embassy of New Zealand announced on Thursday.
In a news release, the Embassy confirmed that the declaration was signed by Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga in Quezon City; and Simon Watts, New Zealand Minister of Climate Change, in Baku, Azerbaijan, where he is attending COP29.
The declaration sets an 18—month timetable “to formalize the cooperation framework” for enhancing the partnership on climate change, focusing on innovation, cooperation and sustainable development, the Embassy explained.
“New Zealand and the Philippines will pursue this in a cross-cutting way, including conducting information exchange, encouraging business to business contacts, fostering research, development and deployment of renewable energy and zero emissions transport technologies and sustainable agricultural practices,” the Embassy added
New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh also attended the signing ceremony for the Joint Declaration in Quezon City.
According to McIntosh, both countries are committed to the Paris Agreement and share ambitions to build climate-resilient communities, while accelerating the transition to a low-emissions economy.
“It was a pleasure to be present at this important next step in the cooperative relationship between New Zealand and the Philippines as our countries look to work together on a vital global issue,” McIntosh stated.
“Greater cooperation will be an opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences as we address the shared challenge of climate change,” she added.
