Philippines and Spain Advocate for Rules-based Order Towards a Stronger Partnership
MAKATI 28 February 2024 – The 10th Edition of the Philippines-Spain Forum (X Tribuna) opened on 22 February 2024 at the Conservatory of the Peninsula Hotel.
The two-day event was jointly organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), through its Philippine-Spain Business Council (PSBC), and Casa Asia, a Spanish public consortium. The Tribuna is an annual platform for dialogue between Spain and the Philippines that encourages multi-stakeholder collaboration and cooperation in the fields of public, cultural and economic diplomacy.
Under the theme "Shaping the Future of Philippine-Spanish Relations," Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs, Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, delivered a Keynote Address, emphasizing the profound significance of the theme as the Philippines and Spain navigate through this era of technological advancements, shifting geopolitical landscapes, and evolving global challenges.
Undersecretary Lazaro underscored that "a rules-based international order is essential for nations to thrive in peace and effectively address changes and challenges."
She acknowledged the collaborative journey of the Philippines and Spain over the years to address shared threats and enhance their partnership for the progress and prosperity of their peoples. This includes both countries' commitment to upholding a maritime regime based on UNCLOS, including Spain’s expression of support for the 2016 Arbitral Award; joint projects to promote good governance in the Bangsamoro; initiatives to foster defense dialogues and capacity-building programs; and efforts to further expand their robust economic engagements.
As the other Keynote Speaker, Mr. Carlos Moreno, Director General for North America, Eastern Europe, and Asia and the Pacific of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation (MAEC), underscored Spain's firm resolve to defend international law and the rules-based order, recognizing the global impact of issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
Mr. Moreno mentioned Spain’s interest to boost trade and investments between the two countries. He also expressed optimism for the resumption of negotiations of the PH-EU Free Trade Agreement, and looked forward to its immediate conclusion.
The panel discussion on the situation in the Indo-Pacific was equally insightful and featured Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs, Eduardo Jose A. de Vega, alongside esteemed panel members such as Stratbase President, Prof. Victor Andres Manjit, Casa Asia Director Emilio de Miguel, and Dr. Mario Esteban of the Autonomous University of Madrid. Together, they shed light on the pressing security risks in the Indo-Pacific region, providing valuable perspectives and analysis.
This year’s edition of the Tribuna featured four comprehensive sessions covering a range of topics such as the geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific region, food security and supply chains, digitalization, infrastructure development for tourism, and energy security.
The Tribuna offered participants from various sectors such as government, business, academia, and research institutions a platform to discuss multi-sectoral issues that impact Philippine and Spanish businesses. END
