It was a productive briefing with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in preparation for my crucial role as head of the drafting committee for the 31st Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF). The Philippines is excited to host this year’s meeting for the second time since 1994.
The APPF offers a perfect platform to delve into political, security, and socio-economic issues facing our region. As we gear up for discussions, I am eager to strengthen regional cooperation and build lasting relationships among parliamentarians. Having led the Philippine delegation at the 26th APPF meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, where we championed the resolution on climate and disaster resilience, I am committed to fostering collaboration for resolutions prioritizing disaster risk reduction that champions the 30×30 campaign for nature, combating human trafficking, safeguarding human rights, promoting natural resource accounting and the blue economy, and recognizing the vital link between health and the environment.
Let us make the 31st APPF meeting substantive and impactful for a resilient, sustainable, and interconnected world, effectively addressing pressing challenges and advancing the well-being of both humanity and the planet. ??
