BERLIN, 03 November 2026 – The Philippine Embassy in Germany, in partnership with the BÖLT Meer project at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE), convened a workshop “ASEAN Scientists in the Diaspora for Biodiversity Conservation” at the Philippine Embassy in Berlin on 2 November 2026, as part of Berlin Science and Culture Festival.

The event brought together over 30 scientists and researchers from Southeast Asia as well as Australia, China and Taiwan, who are now associated with different institutions across Germany to discuss how transnational scientific expertise can contribute to biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development in Southeast Asia.

The Embassy organized the event in line with the Philippines’ Chairship of ASEAN in 2026, and the Philippines’ long-standing commitment to advancing regional and international cooperation on sustainability, climate action, and biodiversity conservation. 

In her welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Teresa T. Almojuela highlighted that the Philippines is concluding its ASEAN Chairship in two weeks,  with a Leaders’ Summit in Manila, and one of the key outcomes expected is a Leaders’ Declaration is the ASEAN Strategic Plan for the Environment for up to 2045.   

Ambassador Almojuela underscored the role of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), hosted by the Philippines, as ASEAN’s intergovernmental centre of excellence for biodiversity conservation and as a platform through which scientific expertise can contribute to collective regional action.  The ACB is administering a network of seventy-one (71) ASEAN Heritage Parks in the region, which is home for over 25 per cent of the world’s flora and fauna even if its 11 member states account for less than 3 percent of the earth’s land.  

The Ambassador pointed out that this natural wealth faces mounting pressures from habitat loss, pollution, overexploitation, and climate change. Because these threats cross borders, she stressed that responses must likewise be regional and collective.  “These pressures do not respect national boundaries. And neither can our response,” Ambassador Almojuela said.

In his keynote address, Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity discussed the Centre’s work in facilitating cooperation among ASEAN Member States and partners, supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and strengthening regional capacity for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.

He highlighted ACB’s platforms for facilitating exchange, dialogue and collaboration  with the scientific community, including through the Scientific Advisory Committee and the Biodiversity Science Conferences. He invited the participating scientists to contribute to the ASEAN Biodiversity Outlook, a publication of the ACB, and to touch base with the Centre’s science team to find out how to align with and support the ACB’s research agenda.  

 

A highlight of the event was a panel discussion where Dr. Montemayor; Ms. Thanh Tu Mai, Doctoral Researcher, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) and Professor Dr. Denise Margaret Matias of the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development. The panel examined pathways by which scientists working outside Southeast Asia can support research, policy, conservation practice, and capacity-building in their countries and region of origin.

Several participants also delivered PechaKucha presentations, sharing their research and personal journeys as scientists in the diaspora. The session reflected the Berlin Science Week theme, “In Touch,” by exploring how researchers remain connected to the communities, landscapes, and ecosystems that first inspired their work. The workshop emphasized the value of sustained collaboration and the synergies that can be created among scientists in the diaspora, regional institutions, national agencies, local researchers, conservation practitioners, Indigenous Peoples, and communities closest to the ecosystems being protected. –END 

BERLIN, 10 September 2026 – The Philippine Embassy in Berlin teamed up with the German Global Trade Forum Berlin and International Club Berlin to promote bilateral and regional trade and investment ties with Germany. The back-to-back events, entitled “The Philippines meets Germany in Berlin,” and “Germany meets ASEAN in Berlin,” took place at the International Club Berlin.

The events form part of the Embassy’s efforts to promote stronger bilateral economic relations and foster greater dialogue between German business and the Philippines, in keeping with the Philippines’ role as ASEAN Chair this year and Germany’s elevation as ASEAN’s Sectoral Dialogue Partner last July

In her remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Teresa T. Almojuela highlighted that, as Chair of ASEAN in 2026, the Philippines is leading the bloc’s agenda on integration, connectivity, resilience, and sustainability, and in ensuring that it remains on track to deliver on its vision of a cohesive and competitive economic community.

“The Philippines meets Germany in Berlin,” held on 27 August, brought together 20 representatives from the government and private sectors for in-depth discussions on the Philippines as an investment destination.

At the Business Breakfast “Philippines meets Germany in Berlin” on 27 August 2026 at the International Club Berlin

At the event, Ambassador Almojuela highlighted the anticipated conclusion of the Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement, and the excellent political momentum between the Philippines and Germany, driven by shared values.

She flagged new opportunities in relation to the Philippines and Germany’s participation in the Pax Silica initiative, with the Philippines hosting a 4,000-acre industrial hub for artificial intelligence and semiconductor-related activities in New Clark City (Pampanga, Philippines) in the Luzon Economic Corridor.

The Ambassador also emphasized the Philippines’ demographic advantages, sound economic fundamentals, upper-middle-income status, further citing new reforms directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to position the Philippines strongly as a global economic action in the 21st century.

Mr. Nicanor Bautista, Senior Trade Representative and Head of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Berlin made a compelling pitch for the Philippines as Germany’s economic partner and gateway to the ASEAN market, offering competitive incentives, mineral reserves and a talent pool unmatched in the region.

The second event, “Germany meets ASEAN in Berlin” Forum held on 2 September 2026 drew over 70 participants from German government, business, diplomatic, academic and other sectors with keen interest in Southeast Asia.

At the “Germany meets ASEAN in Berlin” Forum held on 2 September 2026 at the International Club Berlin

Ambassador Almojuela and Ambassadors and senior officials of the Berlin ASEAN Committee, currently chaired by the Ambassador of Malaysia, presented opportunities in the dynamic economies and nearly 700 million market of ASEAN. They pitched for scaled up partnerships across sectors such as energy security, digital infrastructure, transport, and other sectors where Germany offers technology systems.

Dr. Rolf Schulze, former Ambassador of Germany to Vietnam and Thailand and President of the German-Vietnamese Society, underscored ASEAN’s importance as a vital, rules-based partner for Germany and the European Union. Representatives of German business pointed out the timeliness of this engagement given Germany’s renewed interest in exploring new economic complementarities with the region. END