25 January 2026, Seoul. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez and the Embassy’s Political and Economic Section met with Ms. Jennifer George, Chief Executive of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Secretariat on 21 January 2026. Ms. George was accompanied by Ms. Jisun Lee, Foundation Officer and Ms. Kyle Esperanza Zuleta, Program Officer of EAAFP.

Ambassador Fernandez highlighted the strong complementarities between the conservation of migratory birds and the promotion of sustainable tourism, noting that many key bird migration areas in the Philippines overlap with the country’s prime tourism destinations. Advancing regional cooperation for migratory bird protection would likewise help raise awareness of the Philippines’ wetlands and coastal ecosystems. The Ambassador further emphasized the importance of integrating tourism and cultural dimensions into this undertaking, citing Philippine dances inspired by bird movements as expressions of the country’s deep cultural connection to nature.

Ms. George conveyed that the EAAFP is an active partnership of 22 countries and 18 partners working together to conserve migratory waterbirds, their habitat and the livelihoods of people who depend on them.  Building on the success of the EAAFP’s 12th Meeting of Partners (MOP12) in Cebu City, Philippines from 14 to 18 November 2025, EAAFP and Embassy officials had a productive discussion on further exploring areas of collaboration on conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitat.
 
The Philippines remains an important flyway for migratory birds with seven (7) designated Flyway Site Networks in the country, including the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Naujan Lake National Park, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area, Lake Mainit, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary and Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve. END