The leading development assistance agencies of the US and South Korea have agreed to implement joint development projects in the Philippines in climate resilience and addressing ocean plastic pollution.
Last month, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) signed a memorandum of understanding for potential collaboration in different areas including poverty reduction in rural areas, empowerment of women and girls, water resource management, community rehabilitation in Marawi, and climate resilience.
The US and South Korea have agreed to pursue a “Climate Resilient Cities'' project to strengthen the resilience of cities in the Philippines against climate threats, and Marine Litter Management to lessen the impact of ocean plastic pollution.
Expanding the US-Korea partnership in Southeast Asia including the Philippines is one of the key elements of the Joint Statement and the Joint Fact Sheet of the Korea-US Summit, which was held in Washington D.C. last May 21.
”For the past 75 years, the United States has been a strong friend, partner and ally of the Philippine government in achieving its long-term vision of sustainable and inclusive growth for the Filipino people,” U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Law said.
He added, “Our work with like-minded partners like Korea will further advance our shared development objectives as we support the Philippines in its journey to self-reliance.”
According to Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Inchul Kim, “Korea is glad to strengthen its partnership with the U.S. in the areas of development cooperation in the Philippines as reflected in the MOU last month and highlighted in last week’s Korea-US Summit.”
“We will continue to work closely together in the Philippines to promote sustainable development in the Bayanihan spirit, particularly in addressing challenges faced by Philippine cities and vulnerable communities amid rising climate change concerns, among others,” he said.
Korea and the US are among the largest bilateral donors in the Philippines.