GOVPH

PH EMBASSY ADVOCATES GENDER-TRANSFORMATIVE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION; SHARES INSIGHTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE, GENDER AND TECHNOLOGY

01 October 2023, Seoul – Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivered the congratulatory remarks at the opening of the “Regional Training on Gender-Transformative Disaster Risk Reduction” hosted by the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality from 06-08 September 2023 in Seoul, ROK.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega commended the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality for its tremendous efforts in strengthening the partnership and network among countries in Asia and the Pacific to advance gender equality to accelerate sustainable development. Highlighting that climate solutions that do not include women in decision-making are not climate solutions for all, the Ambassador emphasized that including women in gender-responsive disaster risk reduction and planning efforts creates resilience. She emphasized that natural disasters affect everyone but in different ways and women and girls are among the most vulnerable sectors especially in feminized environments like agricultural communities, MSME ecosystems, and health thus their ideas and views have to be included in disaster risk response planning. Citing as an example the tremendous benefit Filipino migrant women add to the ROK agriculture and fisheries sector and the impact of climate change in their livelihoods and families, the PH Ambassador to Korea underscored that, “When women's capacities, knowledge, and skills are utilized in disaster risk reduction efforts, we will all benefit”.

The three-day training was attended by 44 government representatives and experts from Bangladesh, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Solomon Islands, Thailand and Vietnam. It provided a platform for participants to strengthen their technical knowledge and capacity to integrate gender-based approaches and apply gender mainstreaming tools in disaster risk reduction and resilience policies and programs.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha L. Olavario also participated in the policy forum on “Integrated Approaches to Climate Change, Gender, and Science and Technology”, another activity initiated by the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender and Equality aimed at exploring the intersectionality between gender and climate change. The workshop reported that women continue to be outnumbered and outranked in the climate negotiation table despite the fact that women in parliament are more likely to ratify climate policy decisions.

The seminar also identified that more women need to be recruited in the field of electricity (EV, solar panels, and women in renewable energy jobs are at 32% globally) as women in energy are faring better at green jobs traditionally held by men and the need to introduce innovative policy tools address women-dominated labor forces vulnerable to climate impact such as agriculture and fisheries. Over 70 participants comprised of government officials, members of the academe, civil society organizations, officers from diplomatic missions in Seoul and UN experts shared the view that climate change is closely linked to gender issues and emphasized the importance of women’s participation and leadership in the development of climate technology.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul continues to advocate for a gender-responsive approach to climate change solutions and green technology. The Embassy is also pleased to acknowledge the many trailblazing Filipinas in several multilateral and international organizations such as the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank, and the Global Green Growth Institute who joined the series of workshops and training programs held in Seoul. END

PHILIPPINES AND SOUTH KOREA HOLD SENIOR-LEVEL BILATERAL TALKS ON CONSULAR COOPERATION AND PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGE

12 September 2023 - The Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea reinforced their robust bilateral relationship, engaging in discussions to enhance cooperation on consular, labor, and people-to-people concerns during the 5th Joint Consular Consultation Meeting held in Seoul on 12 September 2023.

Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus S. Domingo led the Philippine delegation, while the ROK side was headed by the Director General for Consular Affairs and Safety Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jung Kang.

Both sides had an in-depth discussion on key areas of mutual concern, and expressed a desire to produce actionable results on the protection and safety of their nationals overseas, enhancement of visa and travel procedures, consular notification and access, promotion of labor rights and welfare, concerns of students and marriage migrants, and emergency preparedness, among others.

Views were exchanged on important issues faced by the Filipino community in South Korea. Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega highlighted the concerns of the Filipino community in ROK, including matters impacting Filipinos in Korea across different sectors.

DFA Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Henry S. Bensurto Jr., noted the need to enhance protocols on consular notification and access to support each country’s efforts to protect its nationals abroad.

Department of Migrant Workers’ Assistant Secretary Mario Perpetuo Socorro T. Zinampan reiterated the need to work together on the protection and welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers in Korea, including those participating in the seasonal workers program.

Undersecretary Domingo stressed that the agreement to create various working groups to follow through on each sector’s concerns represents a significant step towards tangible results in time for another milestone with the 75th anniversary of PHL-KOR diplomatic relations in 2024.

The first since 2017 and fifth overall, the PHL-KOR Joint Consular Consultation Meeting is a biannual forum to foster collaboration and address policy issues related to the rights and welfare of their nationals, visa and immigration procedures, labor rights protection, and people-to-people exchanges, with the goal of strengthening bilateral relations and facilitating greater cultural and economic interactions between the two countries.

Undersecretary Domingo and ROK Deputy Foreign Minister Hong Seokin with senior official members of their respective delegations likewise met on the occasion of the JCCM.

Joining Undersecretary Domingo as members of the Philippine delegation from Manila were Assistant Secretary Henry S. Bensurto Jr., Director Leilani S. Feliciano, Director Princess U. Tomas-Tayao, Director Querobine D. Laccay, Assistant Director Antonio Emmanuel R. Miranda, and Special Assistant Erika Henri R. Laudencia from the Department of Foreign Affairs; Assistant Secretaries Mario Perpetuo Socorro T. Zinampan and Levinson C. Alcantara, and Director Jainal T. Rasul from the Department of Migrant Workers; and Mr. Wilmer Karlo B. Pasague from the Department of Labor and Employment.         

Philippine Ambassador to Korea H.E. Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr., Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jilliane Joyce R. De Dumo-Cornista, Labor Attache Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama, Tourism Attache Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo and Tourism Marketing Officer Cherryl Anne Marie T. Navida of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul also joined as members of the Philippine delegation. END

VICE PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE KEYNOTES GLOBAL EDUCATION AND INNOVATION SUMMIT 2023; MEETS ROK OFFICIALS

21 September 2023, Seoul – Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte delivered the keynote speech at the Global Education and Innovation Summit 2023 held on 21 September 2023 in the Republic of Korea. 

The Global Education and Innovation Summit (GEIS), a first for the Republic of Korea, is a platform for fruitful discussions on the future of education and innovation. With the participation of leaders from various fields, the summit aims to inspire innovative ideas and approaches that will shape the way we teach and learn. The Vice President’s presence at this event highlights the Philippines’ commitment to global education cooperation and its dedication to providing quality education for its citizens. Through the summit, scholars, ministers, policymakers, and experts in the field of education exchange ideas discuss the future of education, and combine new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud capture, and educational technology (edtech) to facilitate learning.

In her keynote speech, the Vice President highlighted the importance of sustained education despite learning disruptions brought about by natural disasters and calamities, pandemics, conflict, lack of infrastructure, and other causes. She underscored the need for critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity in the use of technology, and for institutions to be responsive to the effects of technology in educational systems. She likewise emphasized that teachers and students must have a say on the adaptability and sustainability of new technology in education systems, as technology must be studied by the end users before implementation.

During her brief visit to the Republic of Korea, the Vice President also met with Prime Minister Han Ducksoo and Deputy Prime Minister (serving as the Minister of Education) Lee Ju Ho. The Vice President likewise met with National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin Pyo at the GEIS. Vice President Duterte and Prime Minister Han discussed education cooperation and looked forward to strengthening Philippine-ROK relations through partnerships in language learning, trade and investment, labor, defense, and official development assistance. Deputy Prime Minister Lee sought the Vice President’s support as a partner country in the ROK’s vision for personalized digital learning through artificial intelligence. Both sides also reaffirmed people-to-people ties, especially academic exchanges, as one of the cornerstones of a strong PH-ROK partnership. END