SECRETARY Juan Miguel T. Cuna of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday called on the international community to reform global environmental governance by reducing institutional fragmentation and ensuring developing nations receive adequate resources to fulfill international commitments.
In a statement released following Cuna’s speaking engagement at the High-Level Political Dialogue on ‘Renewing Environmental Multilateralism’ during the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York, Cuna emphasized that global treaties must move beyond abstract pledges to deliver practical outcomes. The dialogue, hosted by the governments of Panama and Vanuatu, aimed to adapt international cooperation amid growing geopolitical complexity and institutional pressures.
Addressing delegates at UN Headquarters, Cuna highlighted that expanding international mandates across climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution place heavy operational burdens on developing countries. He stressed that these demands are rarely matched by equitable access to climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building.
‘Renewal should focus not only on new commitments, but on making the existing system easier to implement: reducing duplication, improving coordination, and directing more resources to delivery at the national level,’ Cuna said.
Focusing on global negotiations for a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, the environment chief underscored that an effective treaty must cover the full life cycle of plastics -including product design, chemicals of concern, waste management, and financing. He advocated for a framework that is ambitious yet implementable, taking into account the national capabilities of frontline states.
Cuna also emphasized the role of international law, referencing the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on climate change obligations. While noting that the opinion provides needed legal clarity, he argued that legal principles must be paired with actual financing and institutional capacity to protect climate-vulnerable communities.
He also urged improved cross-sectoral collaboration against transboundary harm and organized crime to address environmental degradation.
Cuna called for closer ties between environmental agencies, customs, law enforcement, prosecutors, and financial intelligence authorities under frameworks like the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Untoc) to combat illegal logging, illegal mining, wildlife trafficking, and illegal waste dumping.
The high-level dialogue forms part of broader institutional reform efforts within the UN system aligned with the Pact for the Future and the United Nations 80 Initiative. These initiatives seek to modernize UN operations, streamline overlapping reporting systems, and explore complementary plurilateral agreements among coalitions of willing nations to maintain momentum on urgent ecological challenges.
For the Philippines, active participation at UNGA 81 provides a vital platform to ensure global treaties reflect national realities, secure international cross-border enforcement partnerships, and mobilize resources to safeguard vulnerable ecosystems and frontline communities.