Philippines Pushes for Sustainable, Inclusive, Resilient, and Just Renewable Energy Transition at the OECD Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum Held in Viet Nam

DFA Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations Charles C. Jose delivering interventions during the Second Session of the OECD Ministerial Forum. (OUMAIER photo)

HA NOI 03 November 2023 – The Philippines joined the members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), some ASEAN Member States, OECD Council and Secretariat, international organizations, OECD Business Network and high-level representatives of the business sector at the recently held OECD Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum on 26-27 October 2023 at the Melia Hotel, Hanoi, Vietnam. 

Ministers and delegations emphasized the significance of sustainable and green investments for infrastructure and financing the green and renewable energy transition in order to preserve and increase the momentum of growth and equitable development in Southeast Asia, as part of the priorities of the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Program (SEARP) this year

In his intervention on “Financing the Renewable Energy Transition”, DFA Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations Charles C. Jose underscored the importance of science and innovation, and evidence-based decision-making and evaluation, ensuring just, inclusive, and accountable renewable energy transition through public-private partnership and stakeholder collaboration including in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs, and leveraging economic and technical cooperation to advance equitable development within and across economies. “A transition to clean and green energy for both energy security and the preservation of the environment in line with our climate goals and commitment must be done in a way that is just, inclusive, sustainable and affordable. While we stress the importance of high ambition, we are also cognizant of the circumstances and policy priorities of this region”, he said. 

Philippine Ambassador to Viet Nam Meynardo LB Montealegre also participated in the forum and introduced the Philippine delegation to Vietnamese officials and OECD organizers. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) also formed part of the Philippine delegation. Forum delegates welcomed the Philippines’ progress in policy reforms and legislations including in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act and liberalization of the renewables sector. Undersecretary Jose also held bilateral meetings with Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji Kiyoto and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann. 

The Philippines looks to OECD as a platform to advance its economic security objectives through high-value capacity building and knowledge exchange projects covering areas like infrastructure and PPP, skills and education, digitalization and innovation, and climate action. OECD also aligns with the Philippine national interest in fostering a rules-based multilateral trading system, safe and secure trade and business environment in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, and responsible business conduct. 

The overall theme of the OECD Ministerial Meeting is Sustainable and Quality Investment: New Momentum for OECD-Southeast Asia Partnership. END

DFA Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations Charles C. Jose with Philippine Ambassador to Viet Nam Meynardo LB Montealegre and Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (left), Japanese State Minister for Foreign AffairsTsuji Kyoto (center), and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann (right) (OUMAIER photos)

For more information, visit https://www.oecd-events.org/sea-regional-forum