SEOUL, 6 January 2022 - Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega called on Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, President and Chair of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and President of the Ban Ki-Moon Foundation for a Better Future, and former United Nations Secretary General in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Both had an engaging exchange on foreign policy issues and international developments of common concern. During the call, Mr. Ban affirmed the deep partnership between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, owing to their shared historical ties and joint development initiatives for the future.

He was also especially pleased to recall that throughout his career as the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, and as a career diplomat assigned in Vienna, he has worked closely with many talented and hardworking Filipino members of the UN Secretariat who are "always thinking right and walking right". He was also pleased to note that many talented diplomats taking on leadership roles on Asian development and the Environment from the Philippines have been women.

As President of the GGGI, Mr. Ban expressed that he hopes to work closely together with Ambassador De Vega on GGGI's initiatives in the Philippines to address key areas for effective program implementation and cooperation. Ambassador De Vega shared that while the Philippines pledged one of the highest Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) filed with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat, the success of this pledge will hinge on the assistance of developed countries.

Ambassador De Vega also expressed her appreciation for GGGI's important projects in the Philippines, including managing the 4 million BIMP-EAGA ROK Corporation fund. She conveyed that GGGI's projects are aligned with the Philippine Sustainable Finance Roadmap, where as an emerging economy, the Philippines hopes to incorporate climate and environmental factors in mobilizing funds to build a sustainable and resilient economy.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon conveyed his best regards to Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary and former Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Teodoro Locsin Jr., whom he noted is a staunch supporter of GGGI activities in the Philippines and various climate change initiatives. END