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UP AND KOICA TO COLLABORATE ON CAPACITY-BUILDING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF AGRICULTURAL GENOMICS RESEARCH CENTER IN UPLB


UP President Angelo Jimenez and KOICA Country Director Kim Eunsub joined by UP and KOICA officials during the signing of the Record of Discussions to collaborate in the Capacity-Building for Higher Education and the Establishment of Agricultural Genomics Research Center at the University of the Philippines Los Banos (photo credits: Office of the Vice President for Public Affairs-UP)

16 July 2023. The University of the Philippines and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), are set to collaborate on a project that will strengthen science and technology adaptation in agriculture through the enhancement of genomics research and development in the Philippines.

UP and KOICA signed a Record of Discussions to collaborate in conducting the project "Capacity-Building for Higher Education and the Establishment of Agricultural Genomics Research Center at the University of the Philippines Los Banos" on 15 July 2023 at the Quezon Building of the University of the Philippines in Diliman. The 6-year project with a US 14.95 Million grant will include the establishment of a state-of-the-art Agricultural Genomics Research Center and capacity-building scholarships, training, and research programs.

UP President Angelo R. Jimenez and KOICA Philippines Country Head Kim Eunsub signed the Record of Discussions with UP and KOICA officials in attendance.

The project is another example of the growing engagement of the Philippines and Korea on science and technology cooperation. END

Other News


January 29, 2026
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL JOINS 44TH INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY

23 January 2026, Seoul–Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez joined Korea Customs Service (KCS) Commissioner Myeong-ku Lee, senior officials, and members of the diplomatic corps in celebrating the 44th International Customs Day on 23 January 2026 at Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam. The event underscored the vital role of customs in securing and facilitating global trade—a field of growing cooperation between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. In his address, Commissioner Lee highlighted that modern customs go beyond processing goods, serving as a critical function for trade facilitation, supply chain security, and public safety. He also noted KCS’s use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies to improve efficiency, inspections, and risk response. These initiatives align with the Philippines’ customs reform efforts and ongoing collaboration with the KCS, including information exchange, capacity-building, and technical cooperation to strengthen enforcement, risk management, and trade facilitation. END

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January 28, 2026
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL EXPLORES COLLABORATION WITH EAAFP ON MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION

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

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January 28, 2026
PHILIPPINES SEEKS EL SALVADOR SUPPORT FOR UN SECURITY COUNCIL CANDIDATURE

20 January 2026 – Philippine Ambassador to the ROK Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez paid a courtesy call on H.E. Federico Miguel Guerrero Avendaño, Ambassador of the Republic of El Salvador to the Republic of Korea, reaffirming the warm and friendly relations between the Philippines and El Salvador. 

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