PH Priorities on Governance, Climate Change and Overseas Filipinos Highlighted at World Government Summit in Dubai

(Left Photo, L-R) UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment H.E. Meriam Al Mheiri, Philippine Climate Change Council Executive Director Hon. Robert EA Borje, and Philippine Ambassador to the UAE H.E. Alfonso A. Ver met on the first day of the World Government Summit in Dubai to discuss bilateral climate change cooperation. (Right Photo) Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ben-hur Abalos in a bilateral meeting with his counterpart UAE Minister of Interior Lt Gen HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan who gave the closing keynote at the WGS on its third day. (Abu Dhabi PE photos)

DUBAI 21 February 2023 – The Philippine high-level delegations to the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai from 13 to 15 February 2023, successfully highlighted the Philippine Government's priorities for the future, namely governance, climate change and Overseas Filipinos. Three Philippine delegations, namely from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) led by Secretary Ben-hur Abalos, from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) led by Undersecretary Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones, and from the Climate Change Council (CCC) led by Executive Director Robert EA Borje, took part in the WGS, UAE's annual global dialogue on the future of government, policies, innovation and sustainable development.

Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso A. Ver said, "The high-level delegations from the Philippines' DILG, DMW and CCC, send a strong message to this global conference that the Philippine government's priorities are governance, migrant workers and sustainable development. These Philippine officials met with their counterparts around the globe to dialogue, exchange views and best practices, to learn and to share. Being a part of this global conversation and exchange is necessary and we have so much to share to other countries. Philippine local government units win awards globally for its best practices, our policy and infrastructure governing migrant workers is recognized and used as a reference by other countries, and our vulnerability to climate change has produced expertise in disaster risk reduction and resilience. And we also have much to learn from other countries."

He further said, "We are grateful that the UAE Government has provided the WGS as a platform where the Philippines can share and also learn. Likewise, the WGS also provided opportunities for our high-level representatives to meet with their UAE counterparts, DILG Secretary Abalos met with UAE Minister of Interior Lt Gen HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Climate Change Council Executive Director Hon. Robert EA Borje met with UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment H.E. Meriam Al Mheiri, and DMW Usec. Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones met with H.E. Khalil Khoory, Undersecretary for Human Resources, UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization. These engagements further expand meaningful collaboration between our countries as the Philippines and the UAE commemorate next year the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations." END

(Left Photo, L-R) Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones participates in a forum at the WGS discussing the thrust of the Philippine Government under Pres. Marcos to uphold the rights and promote the welfare of Filipino migrant workers. (Right photo) Amb. Ver and CCC ED Borje meet with international counterparts on climate change issues. (Abu Dhabi PE photos)