PH joins call for inclusive multilateralism to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution at UNEA-6

 Philippine Ambassador to Kenya and Permanent Representative to UNEP Marie Charlotte G. Tang delivers the Philippine national statement during the UNEA-6 high-level segment

3 March 2024, Nairobi – The Philippines joined other countries in calling for more urgent, synergistic and equitable multilateralism in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution at the Sixth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, held in Nairobi on 26 February – 1 March 2024.

Speaking at the high-level segment of UNEA-6, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNEP Marie Charlotte G. Tang highlighted that as a megabiodiverse and environmentally vulnerable country, the Philippines understands the nexus of the three environmental crises, the necessity for balance and synergies in managing them, and the need for the world to work together for more inclusive and effective solutions. 

She highlighted some of PH’s actions on both the domestic and international fronts including scaling up ecosystem-based adaptation efforts and nature-based solutions, updating the country’s national biodiversity strategy and action plan to contribute to the 30x30 goals under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, implementing an Extended Producers Responsibility Act to tackle plastic waste, as well as engaging constructively in crafting an ambitious treaty to end plastic pollution.

On climate action, Ambassador Tang underscored that the Philippines will host the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in October this year and the Philippine offer to host the Board of the recently operationalized Loss and Damage Fund. 

Ambassador Tang also joined the call for nations to sign and ratify the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) for its early entry into force.

The Philippines recognized the UNEP Regional Seas Programme, in particular the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), and the Philippine-hosted ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, for their work in Southeast Asia.

The Philippine delegation to UNEA-6 was led by Ambassador Tang and was joined by representatives from the DENR and the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi. 

The Session adopted 15 resolutions related to abating pollution and promoting sound management of chemicals and waste; halting and reversing the loss of nature while restoring ecosystems; international environmental governance; addressing the root causes of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss and pollution.

UNEA is the world’s highest decision-making body on the environment with universal membership of all 193 UN Member States.

The next UNEA will be held in December 2025 in Nairobi.  END.

The Philippine delegation to UNEA-6 composed of representatives from DENR and Nairobi PE and headed by Ambassador Tang (fourth from left).

Ambassador Tang and ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB) Executive Director Theresa Mundita Lim

PH EMBASSY RECEIVES OFFICIALS FROM PHILIPPINE COMPETITION COMMISSION

From left to right: Atty. Nina Remedios R. Mejia and Executive Director Kenneth V. Tanate, PhD of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), with Nairobi PE Third Secretary and Vice Consul Louie Dane C. Merced

 NAIROBI, 22 February 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi received Executive Director Kenneth V. Tanate, PhD and Atty. Nina Remedios R. Mejia of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) on 20 February 2024.

The two officials visited Nairobi to participate in the Workshop of the Advocacy Working Group (AWG) of the International Competition Network (ICN) hosted by the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK).

During their visit to the Embassy, Executive Director Tanate and Atty. Mejia shared information on the work and priorities of the PCC, and discussed potential collaborations with Kenya.

The PCC was established in 2016 as an independent quasi-judicial body mandated to promote market competition by enforcing Republic Act No. 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act. The PCC promotes the well-being of consumers and the efficiency of businesses by protecting the market from anti-competitive practices.

The ICN AWG, with the PCC and CAK among the co-chairs, aims to educate the public about the benefits of competition in business. The AWG promotes exchanges of experiences among competition authorities of different countries, and undertakes studies on how to better promote a culture of competition.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Louie Dane C. Merced gave an overview of the work of the Embassy in promoting cooperation with various stakeholders in Kenya. END.

PH AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES DEEPENING PH-KENYA RELATIONS WITH NEW ASIA DIRECTOR OF KENYAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

Philippine Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang (right) and Director Maurice O.A. Okoth of the Directorate for the Asia and the Pacific of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs (MFDA) of Kenya (left) exchange views on how to sustain the momentum in Philippines-Kenya relations.

NAIROBI, 20 February 2024 – Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Marie Charlotte G. Tang paid a courtesy call on Mr. Maurice O.A. Okoth, the new Director of the Asia and Pacific Directorate of the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs (MFDA).

Ambassador Tang discussed with Director Okoth the activities and initiatives that have been undertaken since the convening of the inaugural meeting of the Philippines-Kenya Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in February 2023 in Nairobi.

The two officials agreed to continue close coordination, including in finalizing pending bilateral agreements between the Philippines and Kenya, and in promoting further cooperation in the areas of culture and the arts, diaspora engagement and labor migration governance, and education. END

Director Okoth and Ambassador Tang

Ambassador Tang (right) presents to Director Okoth a book titled, Flowers of the Philippines, published by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB).