18 April 2016 — The first Dive Tourism Symposium, a collaboration between the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of the United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO) and the Asian Diving Society Foundation (ADSF), was successfully held with the support of the Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura Q. Del Rosario, as well as sponsorship from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Environmental Protection (OPAEP) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

The event culminated with the Sea Pearl Awards to recognize contributions of key personalities in the tourism industry, marine conservation advocates and diving practitioners to safe and eco-tourism initiatives.

This joint UNIO-ADSF effort promotes safe and eco-friendly dive tourism and the Philippines as the top diving spot in the world. It is aligned with the Philippine commitments to the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the Philippine Tourism Master Plan.

The Symposium was held from 2:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini, G/F DFA Bldg., Roxas Blvd., Pasay City. END