Philippines and South Korea Fast-Track Environmental and Climate Cooperation Agreements Ahead of ASEAN Summit
Philippines/ South Korea: The Philippines and South Korea are accelerating negotiations on two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) covering environmental and climate change cooperation ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit in November 2026. Discussions between Philippine Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna and South Korean Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Climate Change Jongho Kyun on 24 September 2026 covered Article 6 carbon market mechanisms under the Paris Agreement, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, water resource management and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction.
Both countries also discussed improving access to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) for climate-vulnerable nations. South Korea’s cooperation includes Official Development Assistance through KOICA, supporting marine plastics reduction, emergency assistance during the Mindoro oil spill, the transfer of the MV Nilad clean-up vessel to Manila Bay and the provision of a K-cleaner truck, with both MOUs targeted for completion before the November summit as the Philippines prepares to host the event under its 2026 ASEAN chairship.
Source: The Philippine Herald
