PH Embassy in Athens Welcomes Official Delegation from House of Representatives to the Women Political Leaders Summit 2024
3rd District Glona G. Labadlabad giving her message during the panel discussion of Women Political Leaders Summit 2024. (Athens PE photo)
ATHENS 25 MARCH 2024 - Philippine Ambassador to Greece Giovanni E. Palec welcomed the official delegation from the House of Representatives to the Women Political Leaders (WPL) Summit 2024 held on 19-21 March 2024 in Athens, Greece.
The Philippine delegation comprised the following: Hon. Maria Rachel J. Arenas, Head of the Delegation and Country Ambassador to the WPL, Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and District Representative of Pangasinan, 3rd District; Hon. Glona G. Labadlabad, Chairperson of the Committee on Inter-parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy and District Representative of Zamboanga del Norte, 2nd District; Hon. Ma. Lucille L. Nava, MD, Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Inter-parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy and District Representative of Guimaras, Lone District; and Hon. Rose Marie “Baby” J. Arenas, former Deputy Speaker and District Representative of Pangasinan, 3rd District and the Delegation Adviser. The Philippine delegation was joined by Ambassador Palec and First Secretary and Consul Therese R. Cantada during the summit.
On the first day, the summit participants were welcomed by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in a reception held at the Presidential Mansion.
On 20 March 2024, the summit opened with the remarks from Greek Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogiani, WPL President and Founder Silvana Koch-Mehrin and Chair of the WPL Board Obiageli Ezekwesili (formerly Vice President of the World Bank, Africa Region and former Minister of Education and also of Mineral Resources of Nigeria). Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina J. Mohammed also gave a video message during the opening session.
Over two days, the summit’s panel discussions covered topics such as the power and impact of women representation in politics and society, transformation of politics and political leadership in response to current global challenges and rapid technological changes, the role of Artificial Intelligence in politics, democracy and promotion of inclusivity and equity, violence against women in politics and other relevant and pressing issues faced by women political leaders around the world.
The speakers who delivered their messages either in person or through video during the discussions included: Greek President Sakellaropoulou, Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid, Finnish President Tarja Halonen, Greek Minister of Tourism Kefalogianni, Romanian Senator Gabriela Creţu, President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Annita Demetriou, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Theodoros Rousopoulos, former Vice-President of the European Commission, Viviane Reding, Belgian State Secretary for Gender Equality, Equal Opportunities and Diversity Marie-Colline Leroy, and other high ranking women politicians and experts from various countries. Philippine delegate Hon. Glona G. Labadlabad was also among the distinguished speakers during the panel discussions.
The summit ended with a session at the Greek Parliament where the delegates were welcomed by President of the Greek Parliament Constantine An. Tassoulas. Each national delegation was given the opportunity to deliver a statement. Head of Philippine Delegation and Country Ambassador to the WPL Hon. Maria Rachel J. Arenas delivered the Philippine statement.
The WPL is the global network of women politicians with the mission of increasing both the number and the influence of women in political leadership positions. The WPL community includes women in political office - Presidents, Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliaments, Mayors, and other key positions. Philippine Senator Loren Legarda is currently the WPL Global Ambassador for Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change and Environment.
The annual WPL summit which started in Brussels in 2013 gathers around 350-400 participants - women political leaders from around the world, as well as experts and thought-leaders from the academe, business and civil society.
The Summit coincided with the celebration of National Women’s Month. The participation of the Philippine delegation underscored the country’s commitment to the advancing of women’s rights and the participation of women in all spheres of society, domestically and internationally. END
(from left to right) Philippine Ambassador Palec (third from left) with Protocol/Assistance-to-Nationals Officer Geranfel Abrillo, Rep. Labadlabad, Rep. Nava, Rep. Maria Rachel J. Arenas and Former Deputy Speaker Rose Marie “Baby” J. Arenas at the airport (Athens PE photo)
(From left to right) Representative Labadlabad, Representative Nava, Former Deputy Speaker Arenas and Greek President Sakellaropoulo.(Athens PE photo)
The Philippine delegation with Greek Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogiani taking a photo. (Athens PE photo)
First Secretary and Consul Cantada and the Philippine delegation with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chief of Protocol Ambassador Aglaia Balta (second from left) (Athens PE photo)
Former Deputy Speaker Arenas, Representative Labadlabad and Ethiopian President Zewde (Athens PE photo)
(From left to right) Rep. Nava, Senator Lindiwe Thulile Dlamini (Senate President of Eswatini) and Liliana Tanguy (Member of the National Assembly of France) (Athens PE photo)
Representative Nava with Mexican Senator Indira Kempis Martinez (Athens PE photo)
(from left to right) Representative Labadlabad (fourth from left) during the panel discussion on “Democracy Reloaded - Fulfilling Citizen Expectations and Rebuilding Trust” together with Liz Perkins (from the Daily Express and moderator of the panel discussion), Pakistani Senator Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur Cristina Gallach (Member of the Group of Women Leaders Voices for Change and Inclusion, GWL-Voices), Eleanor Laing (Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom and Chairman of Ways and Means) and Senator Dlamini (Athens PE photo)
Representative Maria Rachel J. Arenas delivering the Philippine statement during the session at the Greek Parliament. (Athens PE photo)
Former Deputy Speaker Rose Marie “Baby” J. Arenas and Rep. Maria Rachel J. Arenas with WPL President Silvana Koch-Merin and Chair of the WPL Board Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesilli. (Athens PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.athenspe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinGreece/.