PHILIPPINES PARTICIPATES IN CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY MEETINGS IN NAIROBI
Delegates applaud during the closure of the SBSTTA 25 prior to the opening of the resumed session of COP 15
Nairobi, 25 October 2023 – The Philippines participated in back-to-back Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meetings in Nairobi on 15-20 October 2023. These included the 25th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 25) followed by the resumed second part of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD (COP 15) and two other environment Protocols.
The SBSTTA is a scientific advisory group of the CBD offering guidance on the implementation of the convention. In SBSTTA 25, experts offered advice on the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
Ms. Ma. Lorelie U. Agbagala, Assistant Scientist and Head Secretariat of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), was among the over 700 representatives from governments, civil society and stakeholder groups who gathered for the first time for world experts to meet since the adoption of the GBF.
SBSTTA 26 will be held on 13-18 May 2024 in Nairobi while the CBD COP 16 is scheduled for 21 October to 1 November 2024 at a location yet to be determined.
Delegates from ASEAN countries with the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB)
PH EMBASSY CONTINUES ITS SUPPORT FOR KENYAN SCHOOL GIRLS WITH HYGIENE KITS DONATION
Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang (third from left) led the turnover of 100 feminine hygiene kits to Sr. Felly Covacha and her team for their outreach in Maralal, Samburu.
NAIROBI, 27 October 2023 – On the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child (IDG) and as part of the Embassy's Gender and Development (GAD) program in Kenya, the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi donated a total of 200 feminine hygiene kits to students of Arid Zone Barsoloi Primary School in Maralal, Samburu, and Queen of Peace Girls Primary School in Lodwar, Turkana, both in northern Kenya.
This initiative by the Embassy, now in its third year, seeks to educate young girls on menstrual health and hygiene, thereby contributing to their well-being and empowerment.
Limited access to sanitary products, amplified by persisting cultural and social beliefs about menstruation, hinders the ability of many school girls in Kenya to take care of their menstrual health. Many girls skip classes whenever they have their monthly period, and this could negatively affect their access to opportunities for learning and self-development.
On 25 October 2023, Third Secretary and Vice Consul and Embassy GAD Focal Point Louie Dane C. Merced, in coordination with Sr. Madonna Canja and Sr. Genie Herran, Filipino missionaries from Mensa Domini Sisters, led the distribution of hygiene kits to students in Turkana, located some 800 kilometers northwest of Nairobi.
During the brief program, Vice Consul Merced provided the students with an overview of the IDG, as well as anintroduction about the Philippines and the work of the Embassy. Sr. Canja and Sr. Herran taught the students how to take care of themselves whenever they have their menstrual period so that they will no longer have to miss their classes.
Meanwhile, on 17 October 2023, Sr. Felly Covacha, another Filipino missionary from the Carmelite Missionaries-Nairobi, handed over the Embassy’s donation to students in Samburu county, about 450 kilometers north of Nairobi, after personally receiving 100 kits from Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang.
Both schools expressed their appreciation for the Embassy’s donation, noting its positive and tangible impact on the lives of their students. They also voiced their hope for the Embassy's continued commitment to empowering young Kenyan girls, as well as boys.
In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated the 11th of October as the International Day of the Girl Child through Resolution 66/170. This observance acknowledges the unique challenges that girls face globally, while also promoting their rights and empowerment. Moreover, IDG emphasizes the need for increased advocacy and action to ensure equal opportunities for girls in all aspects of life. END
Nairobi PE’s Vice Consul and GAD Focal Point Louie Dane C. Merced (at the center, wearing black, Sr. Madonna Canja, Sr. Genie Herran (both wearing yellow) and Sr. Judith Nadwiri (rightmost) join the students for a photo after the distribution of hygiene kits.
Vice Consul Merced delivers a brief introduction prior to the distribution of hygiene kits.
Vice Consul Merced and GAD Alternate Focal Sherlyn Roxas assist in the distribution of the hygiene kits to the students, while Sr. Canja and Sr. Herran brief the students on the proper use and care of the kits.
The Embassy team had the opportunity of calling on Fr. John Mbinda, CSSp, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar (center), during which the latter shared more information about life in Turkana.
AMBASSADOR TANG MEETS WITH THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Ambassador Tang with the Filipino community in Kinshasa, DRC.
KINSHASA, 20 October 2023 – Philippine Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with residence in Nairobi, Kenya, met with the Filipino community in the DRC on 19 October 2023, on the occasion of her visit to Kinshasa for her presentation of credentials ceremony.
Ambassador Tang took the opportunity to check on the situation of Filipinos working in the DRC, and also addressed some of their questions and concerns. The Filipino community expressed delight in finally having a Philippine ambassador formally accredited to the DRC (as non-resident envoy).
Based on the online mapping conducted by the Philippine Embassy in Kenya, there are around 320 Filipinos in the DRC, most of them working as professionals and highly skilled workers, including accountants, engineers, and managers. There are also Filipinos working in the hospitality and services sectors, while some are members of religious congregations.
The DRC is one of the 12 African countries being covered by the Philippine Embassy in Kenya. END
AMBASSADOR TANG BECOMES FIRST PH ENVOY ACCREDITED TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DRC)
PH Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang (right) presents her letter of credence to PresidentFelix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the DRC (left) (photo from the Office of the President of the DRC)
KINSHASA, 21 October 2023 -- Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang, with residence in Nairobi, Kenya, became the first Philippine ambassador to be accredited to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following her presentation of credentials to DRC President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo on 19 October 2023 at the Palais de Nation in Kinshasa.
Ambassador Tang conveyed the warm wishes of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to President Tshisekedi and to the Congolese people.
Ambassador Tang expressed that as the first Philippine envoy to be officially accredited to the DRC, she will strive to deepen the relations between the two countries and increase the consciousness of Filipinos and Congolese of each other.
Ambassador Tang cited that a Filipino company, the ICTSI, has invested in one of the DRC's ports and expressed her hope to further promote trade and economic activities. She also conveyed the Philippines' intention to open an honorary consulate in Kinshasa as this would facilitate increased commercial and people-to-people engagements.
President Tshisekedi, meanwhile, welcomed Ambassador Tang to Kinshasa and expressed his optimism about the future direction of DRC-Philippine relations.
The DRC is the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa in terms of land area. It is known for its abundant mineral resources, including gold, copper, cobalt, and coltan; while its rainforests, blessed by the mighty Congo River, host tremendous biodiversity. In 2022, the DRC's economy grew by 8.5 percent, making it among the fastest growing in the whole of Africa. END
Ambassador Tang and President Tshisekedi hold a tete-a-tete (photo from the Office of the President of the DRC).
Ambassador Tang and President Tshisekedi (photo from the Office of the President of the DRC)
From left to right: Nairobi PE Third Secretary and Vice Consul Louie Dane C. Merced, Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang, President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, and DRC Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Crispin Mbadu Phanzu.
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