The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya

PH EMBASSY PARTICIPATES IN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC CHARITY BAZAAR IN NAIROBI

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Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang (wearing gray) shows Ms. Charlene Ruto (holding PH traditional abaniko) the various handicrafts on sale at the Philippine booth. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the First Lady-Kenya)

NAIROBI, 28 November 2023 – The Philippine Embassy joined hands with other diplomatic missions in Nairobi in raising funds for the less fortunate by selling their countries’ traditional handicrafts and food items at the International Diplomatic Charity Bazaar (IDCB), held at the Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel on 25 November 2023. The annual IDCB is organized by the Spouses of Head of Missions Association in Kenya (SHOM).

Guest of Honor Ms. Charlene Ruto, representing her mother First Lady Mme. Rachel Ruto, commended the diplomatic community in fostering a spirit of unity to support underprivileged Kenyans.

The Philippine booth showcased a variety of traditional items, drawing the attention of many visitors. The selection included the well-loved Philippine dried mangoes, handmade Yakan table runners, freshwater pearl accessories, and capiz shell crafts. Also on sale were traditional abanikos and an assortment of souvenirs, including miniature Philippine jeepneys–akin to Kenya's matatu–which were a particular hit with children.

Funds raised from the entrance and raffle ticket sales, along with contributions from participating missions, will be directed to various charitable projects supported by the SHOM. These include providing school fees for disadvantaged Kenyan students and persons with disabilities, installing and upgrading the solar power system of an elderly home, and reconstructing a four-classroom school that was destroyed by the recent heavy rains in parts of Kenya. END

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From left: Ambassador Tang, Ms. Charlene Ruto, and Nairobi PE Attachés Ms. Celine Bejar and Mr. Fervie Jay Brubio

PHILIPPINES PARTICIPATES IN OZONE DISCUSSIONS IN NAIROBI

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Engineer Esperanza A. Sajul, Assistant Director, Environmental Management Bureau and Chief, Environmental Impact Assessment and Management Section of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, delivers the Philippine country statement at the high level segment of MOP 35

NAIROBI, 31 October 2023 – The Philippine delegation joined over 600 participants in attending the 35th Meeting of the Parties of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP 35) on 23-27 October 2023 in Nairobi.

At the meeting, Parties agreed to replenish the Multilateral Fund (MLF) to implement the Protocol in the amount of USD 965 million for the period 2024-2026. The MLF assists developing countries in implementing their obligations under the Protocol and its Kigali Amendment by transitioning away from harmful greenhouse gases and substances with high global warming potential.

During the week-long discussions, the Philippines reiterated its firm commitment to the Montreal Protocol and shared its achievements in phasing out harmful substances. The Philippines also highlighted the importance of adequate financial resources and capacity-building to ensure continued implementation of the terms of the Kigali Amendment.

MOP 35 saw the parties convening at the seat of the Ozone Secretariat for the first time in 20 years. END

Philippine delegates with UNEP Ozone Secretariat Deputy Executive Secretary Maria Socorro Manguiat (third from left)

PHILIPPINES PARTICIPATES IN CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY MEETINGS IN NAIROBI

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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 25^th 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.

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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.

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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.