PH Foreign Service’s Science Diplomacy Center Launched in Vienna
Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative Maria Cleofe R. Natividad addresses guests at the commemoration of the 120th Philippine Independence Day, during which the “Philippine Foreign Service Science Diplomacy” initiative was also launched. (Vienna PE/PM photo)
VIENNA 30 July 2018 – Philippine Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna Maria Cleofe R. Natividad launched the Philippine Foreign Service Science Diplomacy Center in Vienna on 11 June 2018 during the Embassy’s Philippine Independence Day celebration.
In her speech, Ambassador Natividad explained the vision of the Embassy and Permanent Mission to champion science diplomacy initiatives in support of national development.
“The Embassy will contribute to the national efforts to realize our long term development goals, including the vision AmBisyon Nation 2040, and the relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, through science and innovation-driven growth and development. We will enhance international scientific collaboration and work closely with our partners here in Vienna and in Manila, especially the Department of Science and Technology, to support our scientists and also to address common challenges,” Ambassador Natividad added.
The event was witnessed by UN high-level officials including International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano and UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Director General Li Yong, members of the diplomatic corps, and the Filipino Community in Vienna.
Ambassador Natividad also recalled the scientific ties between the Philippines and Austria, which can be traced back to the various Austrian religious missions and scientific expeditions in the Philippines in the 17th and 19th centuries, and personified by the great friendship between Dr. Jose Rizal and Ferdinand Blumentritt.
“We will build on the gains of the work pioneered by former Ambassador and Permanent Representative Domingo Siazon Jr., a scientist-diplomat, who represented the country’s interests in the scientific and technical international organizations based in Vienna, and whose pioneering work helped spur the use of nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes,” the Ambassador further said.
As the science diplomacy center, the Embassy is envisioned to strengthen bilateral relations with Austria, Croatia, Slovakia, and Slovenia, and Philippine participation in Vienna-based UN bodies, such as the IAEA, Preparatory Commission on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization, Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, UNIDO, and UN Office of Drugs and Crime to support science and innovation-driven growth, including in the fields of medicine, agriculture, industry and education.
According to Ambassador Natividad, the Embassy will continue to engage with the overseas Filipinos in Austria, Croatia, Slovakia, and Slovenia including scientists, accountants, professionals, nurses, and medical technologists, who are important partners in this initiative.
The Ambassador said that the Embassy will find synergies and forge partnerships with relevant stakeholders to foster international cooperation in science and increase capacity-building initiatives, to maximize the Philippines demographic dividend—the Filipino youth—in support of national development.
An audio-visual presentation prepared by Mission can be accessed through this link: https://www.facebook.com/PHLinAustria/videos/619588775069698/. END
Then and Now. (Left photo) Ambassador Domingo L. Siazon Jr. as he presents credentials to Austrian President Rudolf Kirchschläger, 1980. (Right image) Ambassador Maria Cleofe R. Natividad presents credentials to President Alexander Van der Belen, 2018. (Vienna PE/PM photos)
For more information, visit www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph / www.philippine-embassy.at or @pevienna on Twitter.