Book on International Trade Launched at FSI

Photo (L-R): The author, Ambassador Joseph Gerard B. Angeles with Undersecretary Charles C. Jose, and FSI Director General Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III 

MANILA 27 February 2025 — The Foreign Service Institute and the Philippine Embassy in Brasilia launched Divergent: The Trade and Development Experience of Asia and Africa on 12 February 2025 at the temporary headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pasay.

Written by Ambassador Joseph Gerard B. Angeles, the book explores the impact of international trade on national development in Asia and Africa, with a focus on how the Philippines can strengthen its role in global trade. Ambassador Angeles currently serves as the Philippine Ambassador to Brazil after completing his duties as Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa.

FSI Director General Francisco Noel R. Fernandez, in his opening message, emphasized the Institute’s support to the endeavors of its personnel and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in pursuit of academic growth. Noting that all submitted written works to the Institute are peer reviewed by its Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies, he shared that publications of FSI are evaluated to meet respectable scholarly standards.

Gracing the event was Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations Charles C. Jose who represented Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo. In his message, Undersecretary Jose highlighted that the book is more than just an academic endeavor. He states that “it is a testament to the power of collaboration. It encourages us to foster mutual growth, and to build a more interconnected and prosperous global economy. It offers some reflections for crafting responsive, fit-for-purpose approaches to meeting the developmental needs of some countries in Asia and Africa, including through a reinforced and effective South-South cooperation.”

Personnel from FSI, DFA, retired ambassadors, and the family and friends of the author attended the event.

FSI has published more than 400 titles and materials on international affairs, diplomacy, and policy perspectives on issues and Philippine heritage.

FSI is the training and research agency attached to DFA. It was created under Presidential Decree No. 1060 and its remit was expanded by Republic Act No. 7157. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs chairs the FSI Board with the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Director General of FSI, President of the University of the Philippines (UP), and the President of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) as members. END