Philippine Mission to WTO Celebrates 20 Years
(From left to right) Hotel101 Global Director of Sales and Partnerships EMEA Mr. Carlo Paguio, Hotel101 Global CEO Ms. Hannah Yulo-Luccini, WTO Chef du Cabinet Dr. Bright Okogu, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Manuel A.J. Teehankee, and Mr. Angel Yulo.
GENEVA 04 October 2024 – The Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the World Trade Organization, in partnership with Hotel101 Global Pte. Ltd led by Chief Executive Officer Ms. Hannah Yulo-Luccini, organized a joint diplomatic reception and presentation held on 30 September 2024 at Fairmont Grand Hotel Geneva.
This milestone event marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the dedicated Philippine Mission to WTO, which has steadfastly advanced the country’s priorities on inclusivity and sustainability. The Philippines has been at the forefront in building a responsive WTO agenda, such as spearheading work on the promotion of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), increasing women’s participation in trade, promoting environmental sustainability, and shepherding work on the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
His Excellency Manuel A.J Teehankee, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, highlighted in his remarks the Philippines’ proactive role in WTO negotiations, and emphasized that the Philippines is a “Friend to the System, helping to shape policies that reflect our values, and working to ensure that the benefits of international trade reach our people.”
Dr. Bright Okogu, Chef du Cabinet at the WTO, congratulated the Mission on this achievement, and exemplified that the Philippines is a prime advocate of a fair, inclusive, and sustainable global trading system. He echoed Ambassador Teehankee’s remarks on MSMEs, and pointed out that the Philippines’ advocacy pioneered the creation of an Informal Working Group on MSMEs. He also lauded that the country’s information technology and business process management (BPM) sectors, whose services exports have boosted the economic growth of the Philippines, which remains one of the fastest expanding economies in the region.
The event is also a celebration of the benefits of multilateral trading system, which has helped with the expansion of Philippine investments globally. Double Dragon and its Hotel101 Global subsidiary shared its growth story, whose origins are tied to Edgar Injap Sia and Tony Tan Caktiong, who both began their entrepreneurial journey small businesses. Hotel101 has kickstarted its expansion in Europe by developing a 680-room hotel in Madrid.
In her presentation, CEO Hannah Yulo-Luccini pointed out that Hotel101 is set to expand in more than 25 countries around the world, including Switzerland.
The Philippine Mission to the WTO was established in 2004 through Executive Order 271 signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Ambassador Manuel Teehankee was the first dedicated Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO. END
Dr. Okogu (left), CEO Yulo-Luccini (center) and Ambassador Teehankee (right) raised a toast for the 20th Anniversary of the Philippine Mission to WTO and Hotel101 Global.
CEO Hannah Yulo-Luccini and Ambassador Teehankee on the ceremonial cake cutting to mark the milestone event of the Philippine Mission and Hotel101 Global.
Ambassador Teehankee (left) and Dr. Okogu delivering their remarks during the reception.
CEO Hannah Yulo-Luccini gave her presentation about Hotel101 Global and its vision to expand in Europe.
More than 60 diplomats, business leaders in Switzerland, Filipino community and Filipinos working in international organizations attended the event.
For more information, visit https://wtopm.dfa.gov.ph/.