DoST and UNDP sign MoU to strengthen strategic cooperation

DEPARTMENT OF Science and Technology (DoST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. and Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines Selva Ramachandran have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation between the two agencies in the areas of resilience, climate change, green and circular economy, electromobility, energy security and renewable energy transition, smart and sustainable communities, and digital readiness.

Signed in Taguig City, Solidum emphasized the significance of the MoU and said the partnership is “another milestone in efforts to promote a holistic and synergistic approach that leverages the power of science, technology and innovation.”

The DoST head also stressed that the agency’s task is to focus on impact-oriented research through collaboration with key partners and leveraging the potential of business communities to disseminate innovative scientific and technological solutions.

(From left) Assistant Secretary for Development Cooperation in the Department of Science and Technology Rodolfo Calzado Jr.; DoST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr.; Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Program in the Philippines Selva Ramachandran, PhD; European Union Delegation to the Philippines Chief of Cooperation Marco Gemmer, PhD; and Deputy Permanent Representative of the UNDP Philippines Edwine Carrie. PHOTO BY THE AUTHORS

Ramachandran shared Solidum’s sentiment and noted that these collective efforts will contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Philippines.

“In addition, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will enable the implementation of the DoST Strategic Plan for 2023-2028 and the UNDP Country Program Document for 2024-2028,” he added.

The signing of the agreement was attended by DoST Deputy Secretary for Development Cooperation Rodolfo Calzado Jr., Head of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines for Cooperation Marco Gemmer, UNDP Deputy Resident in the Philippines Edwine Carrie and other officials.

DoST and UNDP have a long history of partnership, dating back to the areas of disaster risk reduction, climate change modelling and hazard and risk mapping.