Europe-PH News

Cebu stood at the center of regional diplomacy and climate strategy as Asean and European leaders gathered for summit-linked meetings that merged economic talks with sustainability commitments at the 48th Asean Summit and Related Meetings.

Heads of state, ministers and foreign delegates arrived in Cebu as Asean opened its first full day of activities with ministerial meetings and side events on Thursday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) convened key meetings, including the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the 31st Asean Political-Security Community Council Meeting, the 38th Asean Coordinating Council Meeting and the Asean Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting.

Additionally, high-level discussions that shaped the leaders’ agenda, while diplomats, business leaders, and development partners happened on the side as the Asean-European Union Sustainability Summit joined by business leaders and officials from both regions.

At the sustainability summit, discussions focused on renewable energy, decarbonization, climate adaptation, sustainable supply chains and long-term investment strategies.

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, meanwhile, opened the summit and outlined the province’s long-term direction.

“Cebu is now positioning itself as a province ready for the future—one that understands that real progress must also be sustainable, resilient, and inclusive,” Baricuatro said.

She said the province advances climate-resilient infrastructure, water and flood management systems, sustainable energy programs, waste management initiatives, food security, healthcare, transparency, and digital governance.

Baricuatro stressed that partnerships among governments, businesses, and development institutions remain essential in building “strong, responsible, and future-ready” economies.

European business leaders and policymakers joined Asean counterparts in pushing for faster implementation of sustainability and energy transition policies.

Paulo Duarte, president of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said the summit comes at a critical global moment.

“At a time of global uncertainty marked by energy volatility, supply chain disruptions, and rising costs, this Summit could not be more timely,” Duarte said.

“It reflects a shared recognition across the region that sustainability is no longer optional. It is central to economic resilience, competitiveness, and long-term growth,” Duarte said.

Jennifer Motles, Chief Sustainability Officer of Philip Morris International and a former United Nations human rights lawyer who has served in the role for about six years, underscored the need for companies to account for broader forms of value in business decisions.

“The people we work with, the people that we employ, the communities that we interact with, the natural resources that we rely on. If we don't account for this, then we cannot really create a sustainable business model,” Motles said.

“So how can we run our business in a way that is conscious enough, that understands the impact that it creates, and it can mitigate the negative impacts as much as possible?” she said Motles added.

“And this is really what sustainability is about, right? Acting in a proactive way. Not taking action when it's too late,” she said Motles said.

She also pointed to the Philippines’ exposure to climate risks and cited renewable energy investments in manufacturing operations as part of decarbonization efforts.

The sustainability discussions also tackled circular economy systems, food security, ESG reporting, and regulatory reforms, with officials stressing that governments alone cannot drive transformation.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jonas Leones said implementation depends on shared responsibility between public and private sectors.

Coca-Cola Philippines President Antonio Del Rosario promoted Extended Producer Responsibility as a pathway toward circular economies, while Philip Morris International’s Rodney van Dooren highlighted industry support for enforcement frameworks.

Boehringer Ingelheim’s Cynderella Galimpin raised concerns over delayed vaccine approvals in the region, noting the impact of slow response systems on supply chains and economic stability.

EU-Asean Business Council Executive Director Chris Humphrey closed the summit by urging accountability from all stakeholders involved in sustainability commitments.

Cebu continued to receive foreign dignitaries throughout the week, including Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, as summit activities progressed across the province.

Source: The Manila Times