16 September 2013 – Philippine Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. assumed the Presidency of the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York on September 07.

The Society was founded in 1925 and represents the world’s largest consular corps with over 113 New York City-based Consulates as members.  The Society aims to promote closer economic, cultural and political relations as well as strengthening ties with the United States, the host country and New York City, the host city.

The Society of Foreign Consuls organizes events on matters of mutual interest and concern among its members including seminars, talks by leading figures in different fields, tourism, trade, and cultural promotions.  The members of the Society also promote a spirit of camaraderie, cooperation and sharing of best practices among the members of the consular corps in New York.

Consul General de Leon succeeded Australian Consul General Phil Scanlan.  Prior to assuming the presidency, Consul General de Leon served as Vice President for the East Asia and Western Pacific Region of the Society.

Consul General de Leon presided over the first Autumn Meeting of the Society on September 10 which was held at the Swiss Consulate General. In heading the organization, he pledged to work closely with Society members in coming up with a substantive slate of initiatives and events in the coming months. END