DFA Hosts the 159th Maritime Forum
The Maritime League Trustees and Members during the 159th Maritime Forum conducted virtually on 28 January 2021. (DFA-MOAO photo)
PASAY 11 February 2021 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office (MOAO) hosted the 159th Maritime Forum (MF159), which was conducted virtually on 28 January 2021.
Foreign Affairs Acting Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and Association to Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Affairs Elizabeth P. Buensuceso in her welcome address congratulated the Maritime League for successfully conducting the Maritime Forum, despite the pandemic. She highlighted the role of seafarers as key workers in the global supply chain, and the government’s parallel obligation to protect their health and promote their welfare.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Igor G. Bailen delivered the keynote developments in the Philippine maritime industry and presented the country’s initiatives in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goal no. 14: Life Below Water for a deeper appreciation of the seas through the protection of the marine environment.
The MF159 was chaired by Maritime League President Vice-Admiral Eduardo Ma R. Santos AFP (Ret). Guest speakers include Foreign Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Emmanuel R. Fernandez and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Omar Alexander V. Romero.
The Maritime Forum was established by the Maritime League, a non-profit Filipino maritime foundation, in 1995 as a venue for developing plans and programs to discuss and resolve issues in the maritime industry. END