EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES

SEOUL REPUBLIC OF KOREA

news

OFFICIAL VISIT OF CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION SECRETARY ROBERT E.A. BORJE TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, 26-28 APRIL 2022

In this photo: Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert E.A. Borje met with officials from the Asian Forestry Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) during his official visit to the Republic of Korea. Secretary Borje was accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega during his meetings. Photos courtesy of King Rodriguez of the Presidential Photographers Division and the Climate Change Commission.

4MAY 2022, SEOUL - Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert E.A. Borje was in the Republic of Korea from 26 to 28 April 2022 for an official visit. The Secretary was able to meet with esteemed Climate Change leaders including former Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon who now serves as the President and Chairman of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the Executive Team of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO).

In each of his meetings with key climate organizations, Secretary Borje personally delivered President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's view on climate issues, highlighting that climate justice is central to the Philippines' position in climate change mitigation and adaptation. He also emphasized the importance of developed nations' assistance to developing countries in achieving global climate goals.

The Philippine Embassy is pleased to note that during Secretary Borje's meeting with Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), President and Chairman and former Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon recognized the Philippines for its commitment to fighting climate change based on the Philippines' ambitious NDC goals, the Paris Climate accord and for our principled positions on climate change adaptation and mitigation. Both officials also recognized the importance of the Philippines-GGGI partnership through the financing of practical climate action projects and green development initiatives in the Philippines.

AFoCO, headed by its Filipino Executive Director Ricardo Calderon, also committed to working closely with the CCC on advancing forest management and capacity-building projects in the Philippines. During the meeting, the CCC Secretary also highlighted the importance of increasing forest cover in climate change mitigation and forest management's great contributions to green development.

In a meeting with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) led by Director for Country Programming Carolina Fuentes, the CCC also agreed to work more closely together to ensure facilitated access to climate finance for climate change adaptation and mitigation projects in the Philippines. Secretary Borje also underscored the importance of supporting practical, pragmatic, and easy-to-monitor projects that can be easily scaled up to ensure success and gain wide public support for green development projects.

The Climate Change Commission also took the opportunity to inspect models of urban planning in the area of Jongno, Seoul, and Songdo, Incheon for best practices in urban climate resilience. Secretary Borje emphasized the importance of incorporating nature in development and green sustainability in infrastructure projects.

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega joined Secretary Borje during his official meetings.

END

Other News

November 18, 2025
PH AMBASSADOR REINFORCES PH–ROK STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP IN MEETING WITH MOFA DIRECTOR GENERAL

Seoul, Republic of Korea — PH Ambassador-designate to the ROK Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez paid a courtesy call on Director General for Southeast Asian Affairs Lee Donggy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea on 13 November 2025. During the call, both officials discussed ongoing efforts to deepen the Philippines-ROK Strategic Partnership, particularly through strengthened dialogue mechanisms, enhanced maritime cooperation, expanded defense logistics and infrastructure collaboration and closer people-to-people linkages. Ambassador-designate Fernandez and Director General Lee acknowledged the growing value of close coordination among defense, maritime, and law enforcement agencies in addressing emerging security challenges and supporting shared regional priorities. 

Read More
November 17, 2025
PH AMBASSADOR CALLS ON JAPANESE AMBASSADOR IN SEOUL

Seoul, 4 November 2025 — Philippine Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Korea Bernadette Therese Fernandez paid a courtesy call on H.E. Koichi Mizushima, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Korea. The two Ambassadors exchanged views on recent APEC engagements in the ROK and efforts to strengthen multilateral cooperation among like-minded partners in support of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Ambassador Mizushima also recalled his fond memories of his earlier posting in Manila as a young diplomat. The meeting underscored the warm relations between the Philippines and Japan, and our shared commitment to advancing regional peace, stability, and prosperity. END

Read More
November 13, 2025
PRESIDENT MARCOS HONORS FILIPINO KOREAN WAR VETERANS AT THE UNITED NATIONS MEMORIAL CEMETERY IN KOREA

Busan, Republic of Korea - H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines, paid tribute to the valor and sacrifice of Filipino soldiers who served in the Korean War (1950–1953) during a solemn visit to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK) in Busan on 2 November 2025. President Marcos, accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, was received by Ambassador SUH Jeong-in, Custodian of the UNMCK. Also in attendance were Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office Dave O. Gomez, and Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez. Representing the Government of the Republic of Korea was Minister Kwon Oh-eul of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA). At the Philippine marker within the cemetery grounds, President Marcos laid a wreath and offered prayers in honor of the 7,420 Filipino soldiers who served under the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK). The President paid special tribute to the 116 Filipino servicemen who gave their lives in the line of duty, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their Korean and United Nations comrades in defense of peace, freedom, and democracy. The President also visited the Wall of Remembrance, where he read the names of the fallen Filipino PEFTOK heroes, some of whom hailed from his own hometown, before bowing his head in silent reflection. In the UNMCK guest book, President Marcos wrote:“We honour the Filipino soldiers of PEFTOK who valiantly fought and died shoulder-to-shoulder with their Korean comrades for freedom and democracy. Let us honour their legacy with lives that hold these principles still true. Mabuhay!” Following the ceremony, President Marcos and the First Lady participated in a ceremonial tree-planting at the Garden of the Heads of State, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea and the lasting peace and solidarity forged through shared sacrifice. The visit reaffirmed the Philippines’ enduring commitment to peace, democracy, and international solidarity. It also underscored the shared history and steadfast friendship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, forged in the crucible of war and strengthened by a common dedication to peace and prosperity. The Philippines was among the first countries to send troops to the Korean Peninsula in 1950, deploying five battalion combat teams under PEFTOK as part of the United Nations Command. The courage and sacrifice of the 7,420 Filipino soldiers remain a proud testament to the Philippines’ unwavering contribution to global peace and security. The United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea is the only UN-designated memorial cemetery in the world and serves as the final resting place for over 2,300 soldiers from 14 nations who fought under the UN Command during the Korean War. The Philippines’ participation and continuing remembrance reflect the depth of the two nations’ historical ties and their mutual commitment to the values of democracy and peace. END

Read More
VIEW ALL

© 2024 Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, Seoul Republic of Korea. All rights reserved.

Powered by: