The Philippines and the Federal Republic of Germany agreed on Thursday to continue strengthening the two countries’ climate cooperation while deepening people-to-people relations.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. accepted the credentials of new German Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke in Malacañang on Thursday, where he highlighted the significance of tackling climate change collectively.
“I always describe it as really the first truly global problem that humanity faces because it’s global in the sense that everybody is affected. And it’s also global because we cannot solve it without everybody doing their part,” President Marcos said.
The chief executive agreed that the partnership between the Philippines and Germany would greatly benefit the country, especially in promoting the climate agenda in both the local and international settings.
“It is axiomatic to me to say that no country can do this alone. The economy, climate change, energy, all of these things have to be done in partnership. So, let’s look in that direction Mr. Ambassador,” he said.
The two countries recently signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Interdepartmental Consultations for Bilateral Technical Cooperation Projects in the Fields of Climate, Energy and Biodiversity.
Under the declaration, the parties agreed to hold regular interdepartmental consultations about ongoing and pipeline bilateral technical cooperation projects.
President Marcos and Ambassador Pfaffernoschke also acknowledged the thriving people-to-people connections between the Philippines and Germany, exemplified by the large population of Filipino overseas workers in the European nation.
Both sides expressed a shared commitment to nurturing these relationships and exploring opportunities for bilateral growth.
“There are many things that I think we can do. I hope few of them would come to fruition so that we can say that we have done the fullest that we can do in this partnership,” President Marcos said.
The Philippines and Germany will mark the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic ties next year. PND
