The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Reducing Waste Leakage to River Systems in the Philippines, along with three Judicial Treaties, at the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai.
The MOU was signed by Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga and Erth Zayed Philanthropies Director-General of the Clean Rivers Foundation, Abdullah Al Qubaisi. The signing was witnessed by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and Clean Rivers Chairman Saeed Al Zaabi. According to a LinkedIn post by Clean Rivers Ltd., the UAE-based nonprofit is committing up to USD 20 million to support projects aimed at rehabilitating the Pasig River and preventing waste leakage into its waters.
This agreement provides a framework for initiatives that will restore and protect the Pasig River ecosystem, mitigate pollution, and boost economic opportunities through tourism and sustainable development. It also strengthens environmental collaboration between the Philippines and the UAE, reinforcing their shared commitment to sustainability.
In addition to the environmental accord, the two nations also signed three landmark Judicial Treaties to enhance legal cooperation. Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla and UAE Minister of Justice Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi formalized the following agreements:
- Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons
- Treaty on Extradition
- Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alonso A. Ver hailed these agreements as a testament to the growing diplomatic and legal cooperation between the two nations.
“The agreements signed today will further strengthen our engagements with the UAE in fields that will mutually benefit our countries and peoples,” Ambassador Ver stated. “I look forward to promoting closer and stronger cooperation with the UAE, built on the enduring bond of our bilateral relations.”
These agreements mark another step forward in strengthening diplomatic, environmental, and legal ties between the Philippines and the UAE, fostering a more sustainable and cooperative future for both nations.
