UAE And Philippines Forge Partnership To Revitalise Pasig River For Community And Environment

The UAE and the Philippines have partnered to rejuvenate Manila's Pasig River, a crucial waterway. This collaboration, supported by Erth Zayed Philanthropies, aims to implement solutions for river rehabilitation while offering socio-economic benefits to local communities. The agreement was signed at the 2025 World Governments Summit, witnessed by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and Saeed Rashid Al Zaabi.

Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Secretary of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Managing Director at Clean Rivers, formalised the partnership. Clean Rivers is a global non-profit under Erth Zayed Philanthropies dedicated to transforming river systems for sustainable development. They are investing up to US$20 million in initiatives that improve community life along the river and promote circular economy solutions.

Abdullah Ahmed Khalaf Al Qubaisi stated, "The UAE has a long history of fostering partnerships that champion sustainable development, environmental stewardship and uplifting communities globally. Our collaboration with the Philippines marks a crucial step to safeguard our most vital resource – water. By rehabilitating the Pasig River, the symbolic heart of Manila, Clean Rivers is reinforcing our shared commitment to a sustainable future rooted in circularity, community and collaboration."

Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga emphasised the importance of this initiative: "As a living part of our nation’s history and future, the rehabilitation of the Pasig River is a vital development priority in line with our broader goals to support environmental integrity, economic resilience and inclusive growth. This MoU with the UAE represents a milestone in our collective efforts to restore this significant waterway, protect nature and enhance the lives of communities who depend on it."

The MoU aligns with the Philippines National Plan of Action for Marine Litter Management. This plan aims to cut marine litter by half by 2030 and eliminate waste in Philippine waters by 2040. Deborah Backus, CEO of Clean Rivers, remarked on rivers' significance: "Rivers are nature’s vital arteries, sustaining communities and ecosystems alike. Through this partnership, Clean Rivers will collaborate with the government, private sector, international organisations and local actors to revitalise the Pasig River while creating new pathways for environmental, social and economic resilience."

The Pasig River once played a key role in Southeast Asia's economic landscape but has suffered from urbanisation and industrialisation impacts. Since its inception in 2023, Clean Rivers has focused on funding collaborative programmes that transform river systems into engines of sustainable development.

Commitment to Global Progress

This initiative supports Erth Zayed Philanthropies' mission to accelerate global progress and uplift underserved communities. It aligns with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's legacy of humanitarian vision. Through cross-sector initiatives like this one, they aim for lasting impact.

Clean Rivers' efforts reflect UAE's leadership in philanthropy by demonstrating that restoring environments is essential for building a prosperous world. Their work highlights how environmental restoration can contribute significantly towards achieving sustainability goals globally.

With inputs from WAM