DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology (DoST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in the Philippines Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that targets to bolster strategic cooperation between the two agencies in the areas of resilience, climate change, green and circular economy, electric mobility, energy security and transition to renewable energy, smart and sustainable communities, and digital readiness. Signed in Taguig City, Solidum emphasized the importance of the MoU and said that the partnership is "another milestone in the efforts to foster a holistic and synergistic approach that leverages the power of science, technology and innovation." The DoST chief further highlighted the agency's mandate to focus on impact-oriented research through collaboration with key partners and leveraging the power of business communities in the diffusion of innovative science and technology solutions. Ramachandran echoed Solidum's sentiments and noted that these joint efforts will contribute toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Philippines. "Furthermore, this signing of the MoU will enable the realization of the DoST Strategic Plan 2023-2028 and the UNDP Country Program Document 2024-2028," he added. The signing was witnessed by DoST Assistant Secretary for Development Cooperation Rodolfo Calzado Jr., Delegation of the European Union in the Philippines Head of Cooperation Marco Gemmer, UNDP Philippines Deputy Resident Representative Edwine Carrie and other officials. DoST and UNDP have a long history of partnership, the seeds of which were planted in the areas of disaster risk reduction, climate change modeling and hazard and risk mapping.