GOVPH

THE PHILIPPINES KICKS-OFF THE FIRST UNITED NATIONS COMMAND-AMBASSADOR ROUNDTABLE OF 2025

22 January 2025, Seoul. The Philippines was the host of the first United Nations Command-Ambassadors’ Roundtable (UNC-ART) this year, which was also the first Official Engagement of the new UNC Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson since he took Office on 20 December 2024.

At the meeting, Gen. Brunson affirmed his commitment as the UNC Commander for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula through upholding the Armistice Agreement. He also shared his vision to carry the legacy of UNC in the new year, marking the 75th anniversary of UNC’s presence on the Peninsula. He emphasized his resolve for establishing robust and transparent communication channels among UNC member states to ensure timely information sharing and coordinated response. The General likewise noted that UNC and its member states’ collective resolve, cooperation, and commitment to the Armistice Agreement are more crucial than ever in the face of evolving challenges and uncertainties.

Member states ambassadors and representatives welcomed Gen. Brunson and ensured continued support and coordination with the UNC.

Philippines Ambassador Dizon-De Vega was honored to host the first Ambassadors Roundtable of the year. She emphasized that UNC member states have a long-standing commitment to maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula with a shared vision and are stronger when working together.

The United Nations Command- Ambassadors’ Roundtable is a venue for leaders of UNC and UNCMS embassies to discuss various security environment factors that are relevant to the UNC’s mission and seek future opportunities to collaborate with the Republic of Korea and UNC member states. END

UP INKS MOU ON ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL EXCHANGES WITH BUSAN UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN STUDIES

19 January 2025, Busan - The University of the Philippines in Diliman represented by the College of Arts and Letters signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Academic and Cultural Exchanges with the Busan University of Foreign Studies (BUFS) on 16 January 2025 at the BUFS Campus in Busan, Korea.

The UP Delegation was composed of College of Arts and Letters Dean Dr. Jimmuel Naval and Associate Deans Jovy Peregrino, Jose Wendell Capili, and Aura Abiera. Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega was on hand to deliver congratulatory remarks and witness the signing and exchange of the agreement.

The BUFS delegation was composed of University President Dr. Chang Soon Heung, Vice President Dr. Kwon Oh Kyoung, Dean for International Affairs Dr. Kwon Sun Hee, and Director of the BUFS Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies Dr. Dongyeob Kim.

In his remarks, Dr. Chang cited the longstanding relations between Korea and the Philippines cemented by the Philippines’ contribution to the Korean War effort in the 1950s and how BUFS looks forward to contributing to greater exchanges in keeping with the university’s vision as a global institution.

Ambassador Dizon-de Vega congratulated the UP and BUFS for reaching the agreement during the 75^th year anniversary of Philippines-Korea diplomatic relations and reaffirmed the Embassy’s support for advancing Philippine Studies in Korea as well as more robust academic engagement between the two countries.

Dean Naval conveyed the warm wishes of the UP academic community and mentioned the many opportunities for academic and research exchanges under the MOU building on the past collaboration between UP and BUFS.

The MOU is a renewal and expansion of an earlier MOU between the UP College of Arts and Letters and BUFS which resulted in active exchanges, conferences, cultural programs, and student and professorial visits. With the recently signed MOU, the coverage will be much broader and envisions participation of other colleges in the UP Diliman System including in fields such as the social sciences.

That same week, the UP Delegation likewise visited the Philippine Embassy and discussed with Ambassador Dizon-de Vega further possible collaboration in line with the Embassy’s educational and cultural thrusts. END

Philippines Re-affirms Commitment to Active Parliamentary Engagement with ASEAN and Korea

16 January 2025, Seoul. Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega joined Ambassadors and representatives of other ASEAN Embassies in Seoul at a luncheon-meeting hosted by the Honorable Woo Won-Shik, Speaker of the Korean National Assembly on 15 January 2025 in Seoul.

The Presidents-designate of the ROK Parliamentary Friendship Groups (PFG) for Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia were likewise present. The President-designate for the PH-ROK PFG Rep. Kim Sung Won also attended the luncheon.

The gathering served as a venue to strengthen diplomatic ties, enhance collaboration, and discuss mutual priorities between the ASEAN member countries and ROK.

Ambassador Dizon-de Vega conveyed the appreciation of the Philippine Government to Speaker Woo and the National Assembly for the swift ratification of the Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement in 2024 as well as their support for the Philippines-Korea Strategic Partnership, two major achievements during the commemorative year marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

The meeting underscored the importance of Korea’s partnership with ASEAN and reaffirmed ASEAN and Korea’s commitment to deepening relations under the umbrella of the ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership emphasizing shared values, mutual respect, and a collective vision for sustainable growth and peace in the region. END