EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES


SEOUL REPUBLIC OF KOREA

news

PHILIPPINES PARTICIPATES AT THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE (INC-5) HELD IN BUSAN, REPUBLIC OF KOREA


Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega (fifth from left) with the Philippine delegation during the opening ceremony of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, held at the Busan Expo Convention Center, 25 November 2024. The Ambassador is joined by senior officials from the DENR and DOH, as well as multilateral advisers from the DFA.

2 December 2024 - Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega was honored to form part of the Philippine delegation participating in the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment held from 25 November to 1 December 2024 in Busan, South Korea. 

Undersecretary for Planning, Policy, and International Affairs Jonas R. Leones of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was head of the Philippine delegation. The Philippines is the only Southeast Asian nation to include a senior official from the Department of Health (represented by Undersecretary Ann Palermo-Maestral) in its delegation, leading the charge for sustainable healthcare in the region. 

The INC-5 was convened for states to agree upon an internationally binding agreement to reduce plastic pollution. It was estimated that 3,500 people attended, including government officials from 170 United Nations member states, 31 international organizations, industry, civic groups, and academia.

During negotiations, the Philippines called for the need to build a pathway towards the global reduction in plastic production at sustainable levels, the need for binding rules on products, chemicals, and design that ensure a globally coordinated approach, and strong international cooperation tied to the means of implementation to close the gaps in financing, technical, technological, and other capacities in developing countries—particularly archipelagic states and other geographically disadvantaged states, among others.

The Philippines also supported a standalone Article on Health, cognizant that a plastic pollution crisis is also a health crisis, and stood in solidarity with the 95 other delegations that call for a strong plastics treaty.

As host, the Republic of Korea enjoined all members to “end plastic pollution before plastic pollution ends us.” The Republic of Korea also highlighted the country’s efforts to tackle plastic waste, such as introducing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system 20 years ago to reduce waste and increase recycling rates and strengthening the system through the Act on Promotion of Transition to Circular Economy and Society in 2024, while pledging to share these experiences with the global community. ROK Foreign Minister Cho Tae-Yul and Minister of Environment Kim Wansup served as ROK co-chairs of the event. They were joined by around plus 140 officials from the ROK ministries of foreign affairs, environment, trade, industry and energy, and oceans and fisheries.

The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC5) for a Global Plastics Treaty concluded in Busan on 2 December 2024, with plans for a final negotiation meeting. END

The Philippine Delegation to the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment held from 25 November to 1 December 2024 in Busan, South Korea. Bottom, from L-R: Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary of Health Ann Palermo Maestral, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Planning, Policy, and International Affairs Atty. Jonas Leones, and DENR Chief Environmental Management Specliast Mr. Albert A. Magalang (Climate Change Service) deliver interventions for the Philippines.

Other News


August 15, 2025
PRESIDENT MARCOS REAFFIRMS PH-ROK STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP DURING LEADERS’ PHONE CALL

Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. held his first telephone conversation with President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea (ROK) on 14 August 2025, reaffirming the robust and enduring Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and the ROK. President Marcos also conveyed his warm congratulations to President Lee, who assumed office on 4 June 2025, and expressed full support for his administration. Both leaders also reiterated their mutual commitment to strengthening cooperation across key areas, including trade and investment, defense and security, and people-to-people exchanges. 

Read More
August 14, 2025
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY CELEBRATES BUWAN NG WIKA AND 3RD ESKWELAHAN SA EMBAHADA

10 August 2025 - Seoul. In celebration of Buwan ng Wika, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul held the 3rd edition of Eskwelahan sa Embahada on 10 August 2025. This cultural initiative was designed to connect Filipino children in South Korea with the richness of Filipino language, traditions, arts, and cuisine.

Read More
August 14, 2025
PH EMBASSY JOINS PINOY ISKOLARS SA KOREA IN RECOGNIZING GRADUATING AND EXEMPLARY FILIPINO STUDENTS IN KOREA

03 August 2025, Seoul - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul joined the Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKo) in recognizing graduating and exemplary Filipino student-scholars in Korea during its bi-annual event entitled “Hayo at Gilas: Pagkilala sa mga Nagsipagtapos at Natatanging Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKo)” held on 03 August 2025 at the Sentro Rizal Hall, Philippine Embassy, Seoul.

Read More