Philippines Assumes Three-Year Chairship during the 12th BIMP-EAGA Agribusiness Cluster Meeting
(In photo) (L-R) BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Center Ms. Jasmine Syazwan, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Director Roberto Abrera, Philippine Chairperson Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro, and Assistant Secretary U-Nichols Manalo.
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM 30 July 2025 — The Philippines formally assumed the three-year chairmanship of the BIMP-EAGA Agribusiness Cluster in an official handover ceremony on 29 July 2025 at the Rizqun International Hotel in Brunei Darussalam. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro chaired the meeting and led the Philippine delegation in conveying appreciation to Brunei Darussalam for hosting the meeting and to Malaysia for its impactful leadership the past three years.
During the handover, the outgoing chair as represented by Malaysia’s Juliani Hii Li Li, Senior Principal Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, underscored Malaysia’s achievements in promoting inclusive growth, multi-sectoral collaboration, and enhanced value chain connectivity during its term.
With a renewed commitment to inclusive growth and sustainability, the Philippines outlined key priorities for its chairmanship: empowering smallholders, strengthening value chains and trade, promoting agro-industrial ecozones, and advancing green technologies. Initiatives will align with BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals, with active engagement from private sectors and local government units to drive innovation and community-led development.
In his opening remarks, Undersecretary Navarro welcomed the Philippines’ chairmanship with optimism and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to deepening regional cooperation, empowering communities, and advancing agri-food systems. He emphasized shared goals of inclusive development, stronger trade links, and sustainable agribusiness as the foundation of a new era of leadership and collective action.
Comprised of representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and the Mindanao Development Authority, the Philippine delegation is in Brunei Darussalam for working group meetings, workshop with the Asian Development Bank in drafting the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035, and technical visits to farms and agro-industries as part of the annoying 12th BIMP-EAGA Agribusiness Cluster Meeting. END
(In photo) Chairperson Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro (middle) is flanked by Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA)’s Sylvester Sales, Department of Agriculture Director Lorna Calda, Assistant Secretary U-Nichols Manalo, MinDA’s Ahmed Datukan, and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jacqueline Ong of the Philippine Embassy.
For more information, visit https://www.bruneipe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassybrunei.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBrunei/, https://twitter.com/PHinBrunei or https://www.instagram.com/phinbrunei/.