Pasig City, Philippines – United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group Ms. Amina J. Mohammed visited the Innovation for Circular Economy (ICE) Hub of Pasig City on 28 October 2024 in line with her participation in the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security. The visit underscored the urgent need to secure livelihoods for women, demonstrating how innovative circular economy practices can transform lives and communities.

At the ICE Hub, Ms. Mohammed emphasized the critical role of local governance in creating an enabling environment for the circular economy, particularly in empowering women from the marginalized and informal sectors, including women deprived of liberty.  Her engagement in Pasig underscores the UN's commitment to advancing gender equality and amplifying women contribution to economic security and resilience. 

The occasion also highlighted UNDP Philippines’ dedication to supporting Local Government Units (LGUs) transition to a green circular economy in partnership with pioneering LGUs and with generous support from development partners such as the Government of Japan and the European Union. The hub serves as a model for generating economic opportunities for women and other underserved communities, and even providing pathways for reintegration and empowerment for women deprived of liberty, leaving no one behind. “Many overlook the importance of SDG [12], but the [ICE Hub] is one of the best illustrations for sustainable consumption and production, it represents a transformative whole societal shift, seeing the works of local actions driving innovations and meaningful change,” stated Ms. Mohammed regarding the initiatives showcased at the Hub. Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto emphasized the city’s continuing partnership with UNDP Philippines “from policy formulation to actual implementation, [committing to ensure] innovations started in the City of Pasig will be scaled up, [to become] sustainable and equipped for the long term.”

DSG Mohammed along with Mayor Sotto tried out the recycled plastic chairs produced at the hub. Ms. Baby Bantilan, a member of the solid waste management team, beamed with pride, saying: “I am so happy because I made that chair.  It feels good to see our leaders notice it --  our hard work is truly valued!” 

The UN remains dedicated to fostering active participation in decision-making processes and women leadership in MSMEs for a just transition to a circular economy. 

As Mr. Edwin Carrie, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, noted, “The ICE Hub is vital because it caters to MSMEs. MSMEs are important as they contribute 40% of the country’s GDP and represent 99.5% of business establishments. By supporting these businesses, we can drive economic growth and innovation across the Philippines.”

The ICE Hub was a product of an earlier partnership between UNDP and Pasig LGU to co-design initiatives through a portfolio approach where the Hub was identified as a pivot point for intervention. Under the Accelerating Nationally Determined Contributions through Circular Economy in Cities (ACE) Project funded by the Government of Japan, the physical facility was established with significant investment from the city government. As part of its commitment to the Philippine Government in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, UNDP began the implementation of the Green LGUs Project component of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led five-year Green Economy Programme in the Philippines (GEPP) in Pasig City, collaborating with 59 other LGUs. Funded by the European Union and co-implemented with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), EU-GEPP aims to strengthen GEDSI circular economy portfolios, enhance resource efficiency and promote sustainable practices that reduce waste while creating economic opportunities for marginalized groups, particularly women, youth, and Persons with Disability. 

As we move forward, stakeholders are urged to promote gender-inclusive policies and actively support women’s participation in peace and security initiatives. By doing so, we unlock the potential of a thriving circular economy for sustainable development and break the barriers that hinder women from achieving lasting economic security, innovation, and empowerment.

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