Seoul, Republic of Korea – February 22, 2024 – In a significant move towards advancing sustainable development and empowering Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Philippines and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) officially entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today.
The pact was signed by NCIP Chairperson Jeniffer Pia T. Sibug-Las, represented by Commissioner Gaspar A Cayat and Commissioner Rhodex P. Valenciano. GGGI’s Head of IPSD, Kyung Nam Shin on behalf of GGGI’s Director General Dr. Frank Rijsberman. This landmark agreement is crafted to facilitate the exchange of experience, technology, information, and human resources, with a specific focus on accelerating green growth initiatives.
As a key component of this collaboration, both entities will embark on a joint effort to develop and implement an innovative Renewable Energy program. This program will center on large-scale solar farm projects, strategically designed to bring tangible benefits to local and indigenous cultural communities.
“NCIP recognizes the need for harmonious synergy between sustainable economic growth and cultural preservation. Thus, the agency strongly supports the partnership offered by GGGI for it will aid in the promotion of the interest and well-being of our ICC/Ips with due regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions, and institutions,” NCIP said on their recent press release.
“The core objective of the collaboration is to empower indigenous communities, mitigate climate change, and improve energy access and security by implementing a 1-GW solar farm on ancestral lands of Philippine Indigenous Communities, while ensuring the utmost respect for their rights and customs,” shared Marcel Silvius, GGGI’s Country Representative for the Philippines. He further emphasized, “ GGGI’s role is to support the mobilization of investment while ensuring equitable benefits and active participation of the IP communities in decision-making processes. We would like to establish a precedent for responsible land use and community-centered development in renewable energy.”
The MOU also underscores the significance of environmental responsibility and community involvement in the development of renewable energy initiatives. These collaborative efforts will ensure a careful assessment and selection of appropriate ancestral domains/lands for the solar farm. This includes incorporating rigorous environmental and social safeguards, along with adherence to the due Free and Prior Informed Consent process.
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About National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Philippines
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) is an agency under the Office of the President. It is the Philippine Government’s forefront agency which provides services for the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) in the country. Established through Republic Act 8371 otherwise known as “The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997,” NCIP is the primary agency responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies, plans and programs to promote and protect the rights and well-being of the ICCs/IPs and the recognition of their ancestral domains as well as other specific rights under the IPRA.
The Commission is composed of seven commissioners representing the 7 ethnographic regions of the Philippines; one of which acts as the Chairperson for the Commission.
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For more information, visit: www.ncip.gov.ph
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About the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) was founded as a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization in 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. GGGI supports its Member States in transitioning their economies toward a green growth model that simultaneously achieves poverty reduction, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. With 48 Member States and over 22 Partner countries and regional integration organizations in the process of accession, GGGI delivers programs and projects in over 40 countries. These initiatives encompass developing innovative green growth solutions, technical support, capacity building, policy planning & implementation, and assistance in building a pipeline of bankable green investment projects, project financing, investments, and knowledge sharing. GGGI’s work contributes to its Member States’ efforts to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals and the Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement.
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For more information, visit: https://gggi.org