GOVPH

PRESS RELEASE

PHILIPPINES CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO PREVENT NUCLEAR CONFLICT

18-22 November 2024, Vienna - The Philippines called for international cooperation to uphold the relevant legal instruments dedicated to reducing the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation and nuclear conflict in the Korean Peninsula, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America during the Board of Governors (BOG) Meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 20-22 November 2024. 

Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evangelina Bernas reiterated the Philippines’ long-standing and principled positions on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, throughout the various agenda items during the BOG meeting. She expressed the Philippines’ grave concern over the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) nuclear weapons programme, including its pronouncements of bolstering its nuclear forces and testing. She also strongly urged the Islamic Republic of Iran to provide answers to nuclear-proliferation-related questions of the IAEA and extend its full cooperation to the IAEA in the latter’s  verification functions.

Ambassador Bernas likewise called on all the relevant countries to ensure that their nuclear programs comply with their respective safeguards agreements with IAEA, and that such programs are used exclusively for peaceful purposes. “We stress the importance of full compliance of Member States with their respective NPT and safeguards obligations, as well as the provision of cooperation to the Agency in fulfilling its verification and monitoring functions,” she said.

Safeguards agreements are legal instruments concluded by each Member State with the IAEA in order to ensure that nuclear energy is not diverted into developing nuclear weapons. (Read more: IAEA Safeguards Agreements) 

The BOG is the policy-making body of the IAEA. Part of its function is to make recommendations on the program and budget of the IAEA, approve safeguards agreements, and provide a forum for discussion of important issues related to the use of nuclear energy. It generally meets five times per year: in March and June, twice in September (before and after the General Conference) and in November. END.

PRESS RELEASE

PHILIPPINES HIGHLIGHTS ASEAN’S ROLE IN PROMOTING PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION AT WEBSTER UNIVERSITY IN VIENNA PANEL

Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Zoilo A. Velasco highlights the importance of ASEAN in Philippine foreign policy during the ASEAN Vienna Committee’s Public Lecture on 21 November 2024 at the Webster University in Vienna. 

21 November 2024, Vienna - The Philippines emphasized the important role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in fostering regional peace and stability during the ASEAN Vienna Committee’s (AVC) panel discussion at the Webster University in Vienna on 21 November 2024. ASEAN’s role in the face of a shifting geo-political landscape is vital in promoting dialogue, cooperation, and the peaceful resolution of disputes anchored on international law.

Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Zoilo A. Velasco highlighted Philippine priorities in ASEAN including maritime security and cooperation, human rights, economic security, food security, climate change, and migrant workers’ rights. He said that the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 will build on efforts and deliverables of previous ASEAN Chairs, especially Malaysia’s chairmanship in 2025.

Students pursuing Diplomatic Studies and International Relations attended the public lecture. Among the panelists were representatives from ASEAN Embassies in Vienna, including those from Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. 

The ASEAN Vienna Committee (AVC), composed of eight (8) ASEAN Embassies in Vienna, organizes initiatives such as the “AVC Goes to Campus” to promote ASEAN among the Austrian public, including among students. END

The panelists from the Embassies of Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines with Professor Marco Bochesse  during the ASEAN Vienna Committee’s Public Lecture on 21 November 2024 at the Webster University in Vienna.

Dr. Samuel R. Schubert, Associate Director and Assistant Professor of the International Relations Department of the Webster University welcomes the ASEAN Vienna Committee and the students during the AVC’s Public Lecture on 21 November 2024 at the Webster University in Vienna.

The representatives from the ASEAN Embassies of Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines with Dr. Samuel R. Schubert and Professor Marco Bochesse  during the ASEAN Vienna Committee’s Public Lecture on 21 November 2024 at the Webster University in Vienna. 

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Philippine Embassy in Vienna and the ASEAN Vienna Committee (AVC) invite everyone to a panel discussion on ASEAN’s Leadership, Diplomacy & Cooperation in South East Asia on 21 November, 12NN-1:30PM at the Webster University Vienna campus. 

Interested participants may register through the QR code or the following link : https://webster.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_85GaXMYF0g2w4rY

Introductory remarks will be given by Dr. Marco Bocchese, Assistant Professor in International Relations. Other participating ASEAN countries at the panel discussion are Indonesia, Lao PDR, and Malaysia. 

See you there!