The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the MARINA Central Office, to strengthen cooperation on green growth initiatives in the maritime industry on 14 February 2024.
The MOU aims to provide a framework of cooperation and facilitate collaboration between the Parties in support of enhancing the sustainability of the Philippines’ maritime industry in the context of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Paris Climate Agreement.
Under the agreement, GGGI and MARINA will cooperate for a greener maritime sector, which is to strengthen green growth principles and focus on decarbonization; and a collaboration ecosystem, which is to enhance synergy among stakeholders and advanced sustainable transport initiatives. Likewise, pursue knowledge exchange on promoting effective decarbonization strategies, facilitating knowledge development in the maritime sector, and overall, supporting MARINA’s commitment to energy efficiency, and collaborating on decarbonization efforts in compliance with international conventions, protocols, and agreements on marine environment protection.
The MOU was signed by GGGI Country Representative Marcel Silvius and MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan and witnessed by Mr. Jonathan Catalla, Renewable Energy Officer, GGGI and Engr. Emmanuel B. Carpio, Director, Marine Environment Protection and Development Service. The event was attended by representatives and key officials/personnel from both organizations.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Silvius expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to know MARINA up close and looks forward to more opportunities like this. He emphasized that beyond the signing of an MOU, the real and actual collaboration that will take place from now on involves the meeting of minds and brainstorming on how both parties could move forward. “We (GGGI) are here to support you. Your program, your ideas, your vision on green growth— we will push or pull a little bit, and perhaps bring forth fresh and new ideas, new innovation in the process.” he affirmed.
He further expressed his support for more collaboration as a result of the approved Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP). He noted that blue carbon can play a role in making the maritime industry a thriving industry on how the Philippines can set towards net zero without losing, but perhaps improving access to markets. He also expressed that the collaboration between the MARINA and GGGI will be able to steer towards a brighter horizon of success.
For her part, Administrator Malaluan expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm for how GGGI pursued MARINA and initiated this cooperation on green growth in light of decarbonization. “As we all know, the world is facing an unprecedented challenge of climate change. The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low or zero carbon maritime/shipping has never been more urgent,” she said.
“We at the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) continue to foster the much-needed collaboration with governments, businesses, and civil societies in support of the IMO’s GHG Strategy, i.e. the decarbonization of international shipping, and eventually, will redound to domestic shipping as well.”, she added.
“We do not have a choice but to foster cooperation on green growth. It is a necessity for the challenges posed by climate change are too great for any one country or organization to tackle alone,” she concluded her message.
The MOU between GGGI and MARINA is expected to pave the way for joint initiatives, research projects, and policy recommendations that will support the Philippines’ transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient maritime industry.
View photos here