GOVPH

Courtesy Call on the Ambassador of Benin

Ambassador Mersole J. Mellejor called on H.E. Paulette Yekpe, the Ambassador of Benin to the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29 April 2024. The two (2) officials discussed bilateral relations between the Philippines and Benin including possible collaboration in textile production particularly those made from pineapple fibers, which is popular in the Philippines. In addition to cotton, Benin is also a leading pineapple producing country. Benin and the Philippines will commemorate the silver anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2025. 

Courtesy Call on the Ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire

On 26 April 2024, Ambassador Mersole J. Mellejor paid a courtesy call on H.E. Kalilou Traore, the Ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire at the latter's chancery in Abuja, Nigeria. During the call, the two (2) officials took up ways to further enhance cooperation in the fields of investments, education, science and technology and agriculture. They also discussed multilateral issues that are of mutual interest to both the Philippines and Cote d'Ivoire. The country hosts around 441 Filipinos. The Philippines has an Honorary Consulate in Abidjan. 

Philippines Participates in the High-level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting in Nigeria

Philippines Reaffirms Commitment to UN-Led Multilateral Counter-Terrorism Efforts at the High-level African Counter Terrorism Meeting in Nigeria

The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to UN-led multilateral counter-terrorism efforts at the High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria, on 22-23 April 2024. Ambassador Mersole J. Mellejor and Third Secretary Norman C. Arrieta represented the Philippines in the meeting from the Philippine Embassy in Abuja. 

The meeting was jointly organized by the UN Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) and the Office of the National Security Adviser of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with the support of the Philippines, along with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation. 

President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed, UN Undersecretary General Vladimir Voronkov and other high officials in launching the two-day event that brought together delegations from 32 African countries as well as representatives from Europe, Asia, America, the Middle East and various international organizations such as the African Union, European Union, Economic Community of West African States, among others. 

The meeting sought to enhance multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation and reshape the international community's collective response to terrorism in Africa while underscoring the importance of African-led and African-owned solutions. The meeting also reviewed the nature and severity of the threat of terrorism in Africa with the objective of agreeing on concrete strategic priorities and measures focused on institutional  approaches to deal with the scourge and foster deeper regional collaboration, enhance the institutional capacity of African nations, and facilitate the exchange of best practices and knowledge to combat the dynamic and multifaceted threat of terrorism in the continent. 

In his keynote speech, Nigerian President Tinubu said Africa must take a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism, not only through might, but by addressing its root causes, such as poverty, inequality and social injustice - points that were re-echoed for the duration of the two-day meeting. He also called for the establishment of a regional counter-terrorism center that will serve as a hub for intelligence sharing, operational coordination and capacity building throughout Africa. 

In delivering the Philippine statement at the session on "Strengthening Cooperation between International Partners and Affected African Member States", Ambassador Mellejor underscored that the Philippines is in solidarity with countries of Africa and is ready to share its experience and best practices to help them effectively address the scourge of terrorism. 

The important role of the UN in counter-terrorism efforts was cited with the Philippines' experience of signing a Cooperation Framework with the UN in New York in 2023. 

The instrument is among the new frameworks signed under the reformed UN development system, which involves a broad repositioning of the system to help countries around the world achieve the UN SDGs. This comprehensive approach, which deepens, expands and elevates the partnership between the Philippines and the UN, sets out the areas of cooperation between the Philippines and the UN from 2024 to 2028 and is consistent with the principles of consent, co-ownership, transparency and accountability for UN country programmes, and provides strategic direction for joint PH-UN activities, including those within the mandate of the UN Office for Counter Terrorism. 

The Philippines also welcomed the commitment by the UN to deliver prioritized, strategic and joined-up support through multi-partner initiatives under the UN Joint Appeal for Counter-Terrorism in Africa.

As a final point, Ambassador Mellejor indicated that the Philippines is looking forward to actively engaging with partners in Africa and other parts of the world, as well as the UN, to strengthen international cooperation to prevent and combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. 

The high-level meeting concluded with the adoption of the Abuja Declaration. 

In addition to participating in the high-level meeting, Ambassador Mellejor met with the heads of delegation of the Republic of Liberia, Republic of Burundi, Republic of Uganda and the Republic of The Gambia to seek support of the Philippine candidature for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the term 2027-2028 and discuss bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation.