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(from left to right) Hotel101 Global Director of Sales and Partnerships EMEA Mr. Carlo Paguio, Hotel101 Global CEO Ms. Hannah Yulo-Luccini, WTO Chef du Cabinet Dr. Bright Okogu, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Manuel A.J. Teehankee, and Mr. Angel Yulo.
Geneva, 30 September 2024 - The Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the World Trade Organization, in partnership with Hotel101 Global Pte. Ltd led by Chief Executive Officer Ms. Hannah Yulo-Luccini, organized a joint diplomatic reception and presentation held on 30 September 2024 at Fairmont Grand Hotel Geneva.
Dr. Okogu (left), CEO Yulo-Luccini (center) and Ambassador Teehankee (right) raised a toast for the 20th Anniversary of the Philippine Mission to WTO and Hotel101 Global.
CEO Hannah Yulo-Luccini and Ambassador Teehankee on the ceremonial cake cutting to mark the milestone event of the Philippine Mission and Hotel101 Global.
This milestone event marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the dedicated Philippine Mission to WTO, which has steadfastly advanced the country’s priorities on inclusivity and sustainability. The Philippines has been at the forefront in building a responsive WTO agenda, such as spearheading work on the promotion of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), increasing women’s participation in trade, promoting environmental sustainability, and shepherding work on the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
Ambassador Teehankee (left) and Dr. Okogu delivering their remarks during the reception.
His Excellency Manuel A.J Teehankee, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, highlighted in his remarks the Philippines’ proactive role in WTO negotiations, and emphasized that the Philippines is a “Friend to the System, helping to shape policies that reflect our values, and working to ensure that the benefits of international trade reach our people.”
Dr. Bright Okogu, Chef du Cabinet at the WTO, congratulated the Mission on this achievement, and exemplified that the Philippines is a prime advocate of a fair, inclusive, and sustainable global trading system. He echoed Ambassador Teehankee’s remarks on MSMEs, and pointed out that the Philippines’ advoacy pioneered the creation of an Informal Working Group on MSMEs. He also lauded that the country’s information technology and business process management (BPM) sectors, whose services exports have boosted the economic growth of the Philippines, which remains one of the fastest expanding economies in the region.
The event is also a celebration of the benefits of multilateral trading system, which has helped with the expansion of Philippine investments globally. Double Dragon and its Hotel101 Global subsidiary shared its growth story, whose origins are tied to Edgar Injap Sia and Tony Tan Caktiong, who both began their entrepreneurial journey small businesses. Hotel101 has kickstarted its expansion in Europe by developing a 680-room hotel in Madrid.
CEO Hannah Yulo-Luccini gave her presentation about Hotel101 Global and its vision to expand in Europe.
In her presentation, CEO Hannah Yulo-Luccini pointed out that Hotel101 is set to expand in more than 25 countries around the world, including Switzerland.
More than 60 diplomats, business leaders in Switzerland, Filipino community and Filipinos working in international organizations attended the event.
The Philippine Mission to the WTO was established in 2004 through Executive Order 271 signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Ambassador Manuel Teehankee was the first dedicated Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO.
PHILIPPINES CHAMPIONS HARNESSING AI TOOLS TO FURTHER INTEGRATE MSMES INTO THE GLOBAL DIGITAL ECONOMY
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Geneva, Switzerland – [12 September 2024] – At the 2024 WTO Public Forum, Ambassador Manuel Teehankee, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the WTO, underscored the critical challenges and opportunities faced by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the digital economy. Ambassador Teehankee engaged with key partners and emphasized the role of digital transformation and policy frameworks in empowering MSMEs on the global stage.
Empowering SMEs through Digital Transformation
Ambassador Teehankee participated in a breakfast discussion titled “Empowering SMEs through Digital Transformation: Navigating the Impact of AI on SMEs in the Global Market,” co-organized by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and SME Global. The session explored the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping business models and expanding opportunities for MSMEs to increase their global market participation.
During the session, Ambassador Teehankee highlighted the challenges that MSMEs face in integrating AI into their operations, from technical adaptation to capitalizing on AI’s potential. He stressed the need for a strategic approach to optimizing AI technologies, which could significantly boost MSME competitiveness and help level the playing field in the global market. The Ambassador also emphasized the critical role digital transformation plays in fostering innovation and sustainable growth among MSMEs.
Ambassador Carmen Heidecke of the Permanent Mission of Germany to IOs at Geneva, Executive Director Andrea Ostheimer of Multilateral Dialogue Geneva, Konrad- Adenauer-Stiftung, MEP President Jörgen Warborn of SME Global and Vice-Coordinator of INTA for European People’s Party (EPP) Group, Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee of the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the WTO, UNCTAD Chief of Investment Research Section Amelia Santos-Paulino, Ambassador Matthew Wilson of Permanent Mission of Barbados to the UN Office at Geneva, Director of Policy Luis Rodrigo Morales of International Organisation of Employers
Addressing Digital Economy Policy Challenges
In a discussion with Digital Policy Alert, the world’s first public and independent repository of policy changes affecting the digital economy, Ambassador Teehankee addressed the policy challenges that affect both local and foreign businesses, with a focus on MSMEs navigating the digital economy. Digital Policy Alert, a project of the St. Gallen Endowment for Prosperity through Trade, is currently developing a comprehensive overview of the Philippines’ policy approaches in the digital sphere, intended to serve as a resource for policymakers, businesses, and researchers.
Ambassador Teehankee shared his insights on how evolving digital policies are shaping the future of MSMEs, pointing to the urgent need for balanced and supportive regulatory frameworks. He emphasized the importance of creating a business-friendly digital environment that enables MSMEs to thrive, both domestically and globally. His contributions are expected to play a key role in informing the development of Digital Policy Alert’s knowledge tools that will support MSME integration into the digital economy.
Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee sharing his insights with Senior Digital Economic Policy Analyst Ms. Maria Buza of Digital Policy Alert
About the 2024 Public Forum
The WTO Public Forum, the WTO’s premier consultative mechanism, brings together policymakers, business leaders, and experts to discuss the future of trade in a rapidly evolving global landscape. The 2024 Public Forum serves as a platform for global dialogue on pressing issues in trade and development. This year's theme, “Re-globalization: Better Trade for a Better World,” features discussions on how digitalization can act as a catalyst for inclusive trade.
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Ambassador Bernard Faustino Dy (left) of the Philippine Embassy in Berne, and Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee (right) extend their support to the Don Papa Rums.
13 September 2024, Geneva - The Philippines raised the bar for Filipino Rums by participating in the Rum Joint Initiative: A Charity Event, which brought down the curtain on the World Trade Organization’s Public Forum, which was held on 10-13 September 2024 at the WTO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala having a taste of the Don Papa Masskara Rum.
The Philippines, with the support of the World Spirits Alliance and sponsorship from Diageo, joined the Rum Competition with two Don Papa Rums: the Mt. Kanlaon (aged up to 6 years) and the Masskara (spiced rum with calamansi and siling labuyo). Other competition categories were White Rum, Premium Aged (aged for 6 to 10 years), Premium Aged (aged for 11 to 15 years), and Super Premium (aged for 15 years or more).
Aside from the special categories, Masskara and Mt. Kanlaon bagged second and third places out of the 44 competing rums in the People’s Choice category. Mauritius’ New Grove Single Cast Vintage won the said category garnering 23.7 percent of the vote.
The Philippines was the only Asian country to participate, alongside 14 other participating countries, which were mostly from the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC) countries.
WTO Director Santiago Wills (third from the left) joined the Philippine Mission for a group photo with the Don Papa Rums.
The Philippine Mission to the WTO also introduced the concept of a sari-sari store to other WTO delegations and stakeholders, which is a small, usually family-run business and a one-stop shop for everyday essentials. The resilience of the sari-sari store concept is consistent with the Filipino culture of companionship (pakikisama) and the spirit of fiesta, which reflects the role of this traditional MSME as a focal point for social interaction within local communities. By promoting this tradition, the Philippines was able to foster pakikisama with more than 500 guests of the Public Forum, who represented a wide cross section of academics, industry representatives, trade negotiators and NGOs.
Prior to the event, the Philippines led by Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee, Congressman Jose Manuel Alba and Former Congresswoman Malou Alba, Mr. Raymond Albert Batac and Ms. Clariza Columna of PTIC-Geneva met with the Ms. Helen Medina, CEO of World Spirits Alliance, and Mr. Dominic Goudie, Senior International Trade Manager, Diageo (owner of Don Papa) to discuss prospects for future collaboration.
END.
PHILIPPINES CHAMPIONS HARNESSING AI TOOLS TO FURTHER INTEGRATE MSMES INTO THE GLOBAL DIGITAL ECONOMY
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Geneva, Switzerland – [12 September 2024] – At the 2024 WTO Public Forum, Ambassador Manuel Teehankee, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the WTO, underscored the critical challenges and opportunities faced by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the digital economy. Ambassador Teehankee engaged with key partners and emphasized the role of digital transformation and policy frameworks in empowering MSMEs on the global stage.
Empowering SMEs through Digital Transformation
Ambassador Teehankee participated in a breakfast discussion titled “Empowering SMEs through Digital Transformation: Navigating the Impact of AI on SMEs in the Global Market,” co-organized by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and SME Global. The session explored the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping business models and expanding opportunities for MSMEs to increase their global market participation.
During the session, Ambassador Teehankee highlighted the challenges that MSMEs face in integrating AI into their operations, from technical adaptation to capitalizing on AI’s potential. He stressed the need for a strategic approach to optimizing AI technologies, which could significantly boost MSME competitiveness and help level the playing field in the global market. The Ambassador also emphasized the critical role digital transformation plays in fostering innovation and sustainable growth among MSMEs.
Ambassador Carmen Heidecke of the Permanent Mission of Germany to IOs at Geneva, Executive Director Andrea Ostheimer of Multilateral Dialogue Geneva, Konrad- Adenauer-Stiftung, MEP President Jörgen Warborn of SME Global and Vice-Coordinator of INTA for European People’s Party (EPP) Group, Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee of the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the WTO, UNCTAD Chief of Investment Research Section Amelia Santos-Paulino, Ambassador Matthew Wilson of Permanent Mission of Barbados to the UN Office at Geneva, Director of Policy Luis Rodrigo Morales of International Organisation of Employers
Addressing Digital Economy Policy Challenges
In a discussion with Digital Policy Alert, the world’s first public and independent repository of policy changes affecting the digital economy, Ambassador Teehankee addressed the policy challenges that affect both local and foreign businesses, with a focus on MSMEs navigating the digital economy. Digital Policy Alert, a project of the St. Gallen Endowment for Prosperity through Trade, is currently developing a comprehensive overview of the Philippines’ policy approaches in the digital sphere, intended to serve as a resource for policymakers, businesses, and researchers.
Ambassador Teehankee shared his insights on how evolving digital policies are shaping the future of MSMEs, pointing to the urgent need for balanced and supportive regulatory frameworks. He emphasized the importance of creating a business-friendly digital environment that enables MSMEs to thrive, both domestically and globally. His contributions are expected to play a key role in informing the development of Digital Policy Alert’s knowledge tools that will support MSME integration into the digital economy.
Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee sharing his insights with Senior Digital Economic Policy Analyst Ms. Maria Buza of Digital Policy Alert
About the 2024 Public Forum
The WTO Public Forum, the WTO’s premier consultative mechanism, brings together policymakers, business leaders, and experts to discuss the future of trade in a rapidly evolving global landscape. The 2024 Public Forum serves as a platform for global dialogue on pressing issues in trade and development. This year's theme, “Re-globalization: Better Trade for a Better World,” features discussions on how digitalization can act as a catalyst for inclusive trade.
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Geneva, Switzerland, 16 May 2024 - The Philippines, through its Permanent Mission to the World Trade Organization (WTO), today notified participation in the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), an interim mechanism formed by like-minded WTO members in 2020 to provide an appeal mechanism on WTO trade disputes by providing access to a 10-member roster of arbitrators. Ambassador Manuel Teehankee, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the WTO, presented today the notification documents to the chair of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel of Saudi Arabia.
Amb. Teehankee stressed “joining the MPIA sends a strong political statement of the Philippines’ unwavering support for a fully functioning WTO dispute settlement system” as WTO members start this month formal negotiations on WTO dispute settlement system reforms. “It is also an opportunity for the Philippines to learn from other MPIA members on WTO law and litigation practice.” Amb. Almoqbel congratulated the Philippines for joining the MPIA “at this critical moment”, adding the decision of the Philippines is “highly appreciated by members” especially that it is “known to all as a friend of the system, and you could help overcome the impasse in the AB.”
A strong supporter of a rules-based multilateral trading system and a responsible WTO member, the Philippines’ decision was reached by the inter-agency committee (Committee on Tariff and Related Matters), making it the 53rd WTO member[1] to become an MPIA participant. MPIA provides a mechanism to resolve appeals on panel reports through arbitration proceedings under Article 25 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding, thus maintaining the two-tier dispute resolution framework of the WTO while its Appellate Body (AB) is not functioning. The MPIA is not considered a formal treaty or international obligation and will cease to operate once the AB is functional again.
END
[1] Australia, Benin, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the European Union (27 members states), Guatemala, Hong Kong China, Iceland, Japan, Macao China, Mexico, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Singapore, Switzerland, Ukraine and Uruguay are the participating members of MPIA as of 15 May 2024. (see complete list in Annex A)
Roster of MPIA Arbitrators: Mr. Thomas Cottier (Switzerland), Mr. Mateo Diego-Fernández Andrade (Mexico), Mr. José Alfredo Graça Lima (Brazil), Ms. Locknie Hsu (Singapore), Ms. Valerie Hughes (Canada), Mr. Alejandro Jara (Chile), Ms. Claudia Orozco (Colombia), Mr. Joost Pauwelyn (EU), Ms. Penelope Ridings (New Zealand), and Mr. Guohua Yang (China)
