DFA Holds Regional Consultation Meeting with Honorary Consuls from the Middle East and Africa

Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo delivers his keynote address during the virtual Regional Consultation Meeting (RCM) among Philippine honorary consular officers from the Middle East and African Region on 24 November 2022. (DFA-OPCD photo by Camille Barizo and DFA-HCSAD photos)

PASAY CITY, 24 November 2022 – The DFA successfully convened the virtual Regional Consultation Meeting (RCM) among Philippine honorary consular officers from the Middle East and African Region on 24 November 2022. 

With the theme “Philippine Honorary Consuls: First Responders at a time of Global Challenges,” the conference highlighted the critical role of honorary consular officers amidst the backdrop of a rapidly changing global environment, as vital cogs in the advancement of Philippine foreign policy. 

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A Manalo delivered a keynote address recognizing the valuable contribution of Philippine honorary consular officers, and expressing appreciation for their tireless efforts in promoting Philippine interests in their respective consular jurisdictions. 

The conference provided a unique platform to update the honorary consular officers on developments involving the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy, particularly in the areas of economic diplomacy, consular services, assistance to nationals, and political and financial reporting. 

The resource speakers in the RCM included: OMEAA Assistant Secretary Alfonso Ver (Political Reporting), Senior Special Assistant Roy Ecraela (ATN Issues and Policies), Executive Director Christian De Jesus and Legal Officer Jamille San Jose (Consular Updates & Notarial Functions), Acting Director Andrea Christina Caymo-Kauhanen (Economic Diplomacy Work at DFA), Acting Director Ronald Joves (Administrative Reminders); and Accounts Reviewer Lourdes Francis Morallos (Financial Reporting).

The honorary consuls provided useful insights and perspectives on the current and emerging realities they face on matters relating to their functions, as well as proposed ways forward to improve Philippine presence and bilateral relations in their respective areas and countries. 

The conference was the first of four (4) regional consultation meeting that will be conducted by the Department for its network of Philippine honorary consular officers. END

DFA resource speakers and PH Honorary Consuls in the Middle East and African Region engage in the first web-based regional consultation meeting. (DFA-OPCD photo by Camille Barizo and DFA-HCSAD photos)