The Philippines and Australia have agreed to strengthen collaboration on climate actions that include reducing carbon emissions and sustainable development.
The Philippines also welcomed technical experts from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as part of a two-year technical cooperation project aimed at strengthening the organizational and technical capacities of the Climate Change Commission (CCC).
CCC Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje met with Australia’s Regional Climate Counsellor Ashley Brosnan to further enhance bilateral cooperation on shared climate priorities.
The discussions focused on aligning priorities ahead of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as well as ongoing preparations for the Philippines’ updating of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
“We’re ready to support each other wherever needed,” said Borje. “This meeting is an opportunity to strengthen our collaboration and push forward shared priorities in the climate agenda.”
The two sides explored cooperation in several key areas, including NDC enhancement, implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, just transition strategies and low-carbon development pathways.
Both parties also emphasized the importance of technical exchanges and sustained coordination among government agencies, civil society organizations and subject matter experts.
“We’ve been able to narrow down the agenda to better understand which sectors are key―whether energy, transportation, or agriculture,” Borje added. “We’re moving forward with support from development partners like the Australian Government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and we’re making sure resources are being optimized.” CCC News
Also present in the meeting were Peter Adams, Acting Deputy Head on Mission, and Sarah Spencer, First Secretary, Development Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in the Philippines.
The engagement reflects the CCC’s continuing commitment to advancing international cooperation in support of the country’s climate resilience and sustainable development agenda.
The JICA experts committed to help the Philippines establish a Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system to support the implementation of the Philippines’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Borje conveyed his appreciation for JICA’s steadfast commitment to institutional development and climate action in the Philippines.
“JICA’s support enables us to adopt more science-based and responsive approaches to our climate planning and action,” said Borje. “Through this cooperation, we are strengthening the CCC not just as a technical agency but as a beacon of unified national action for a more climate-resilient Philippines.”
The technical cooperation focuses on two major outcomes: enhancing the CCC’s institutional capacity, and designing, piloting, and operationalizing an MRV system aligned with international climate reporting requirements.
The JICA experts also committed to supporting CCC’s continued transformation into a responsive civil service agency capable of providing cross-sectoral support for the country’s climate goals. CCC News
