MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR ON TECHNICAL COOPERATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING ON …

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines, represented by the Climate Change Commission, and

The Government of the State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change,

hereinafter referred to individually as “the Party” and collectively as “the Parties”,

based on the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries,

and their mutual desire to increase technical cooperation and capacity building on climate change, guided by the principles of solidarity, equity and mutual benefit,

Have reached the following understanding:

Article (1)
Objective

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aims to enhance collaboration between the Parties to jointly pursue technical cooperation, capacity building, enhance knowledge sharing and promote transformative climate actions, aligned with the shared goals on climate action under the Paris Agreement of 2016.

Article (2)
Areas of Cooperation

The Parties will enhance technical cooperation and capacity building on climate change in mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and development, education and awareness.

Other areas of cooperation may be added as agreed upon in writing by the Parties through diplomatic channels.

Article (3)
Modes of Cooperation

The Parties will enhance cooperation through:

1.	Mutual Engagement in capacity-building activities on tools and methodologies that enhance climate change adaptation and mitigation capabilities and related technical capacities.
2.	Exchange of experiences, best practices, studies and information on climate change policy formulation, coordination and implementation, green development and environmental sustainability and climate change innovation best practices.
3.	Development of strategic communication on climate change and environmental sustainability.
4.	Exchanges of staff on agreed terms for enhanced knowledge building, skills development and further institutional capacity on climate change.
5.	Joint hosting of conferences, training workshops, seminars on mutually agreed terms about climate change and promotion of climate change research and development programs.
6.	Joint undertaking of pilot activities that may be the result of collaboration activities.
7.	All such other cooperation, as may be agreed in writing by the Parties, within the respective mandates of the Climate Change Commission of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of the State of Qatar.

Article (4)
Joint Committee

A Joint Committee, hereinafter referred to as “Committee” shall be formed by the Parties for the purpose of coordination and cooperation under this MOU. The Committee will be composed of an equal number of representatives from both Parties.

The Committee shall meet every two (2) years alternately in Doha and Manila at a date agreed upon by the Parties. Special meetings shall be held upon the call of either of the Parties, as deemed necessary.

The Committee shall formulate a work program for all activities, identify priority areas, propose specific projects and activities for implementation, and take all necessary measures to attain stronger cooperation.

The Committee shall submit an annual report and review of the work program based on the achievements, priorities set and action plans developed for the targeted projects, particularly capacity-building projects. The Committee shall also decide on the funding requirements, among others, of said capacity-building projects.

Article (5)
Confidentiality

The disclosure of information related to this MOU and the usage of the Parties’ trademarks, logos and all other rights, are subject to both Parties’ written consent.

Article (6)
Financial Arrangements

Each Party shall bear its cost associated in carrying out the provisions of this MOU, subject to the availability of appropriate funds and to the applicable laws and regulations of each Party.

Article (7)
Legal Obligations

All the activities within the framework of this MOU shall be carried out in accordance with the domestic legislation of each Party, without detriment to the commitments or legal obligations arising from bilateral and multilateral agreements to which either of the Parties is a party.

Article (8)
Settlement of Disputes

Any dispute arising from the interpretation or implementation of this MOU shall be settled amicably between the Parties through diplomatic channels.

Article (9)
Amendments

The provisions of this MOU may be amended by mutual written consent of the Parties, through diplomatic channels. Such amendment shall enter into force on the date of signature of both Parties.

Article (10)
Entry into Force and Duration

This MOU shall enter into force on the date of the signature of both Parties, and shall remain in force for a period of five (5) years from the date of its entry into force, and shall automatically be extended for further similar period or periods unless one of the Parties notifies the other in written form of its intention to terminate it at least six (6) months prior to the date specified for the termination or expiry through diplomatic channels.

The termination of this MOU shall not affect the implementation of programs and projects, which start under the action plan developed by the coordinators and were not completed by the date of termination or expiry, unless the Parties agree otherwise in writing.

In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this MOU.

Done and Signed in Manila on 22 April 2024, in two original copies, in English and Arabic languages, all texts being equally authentic.

Entry into Force: April 22, 2024