Paris: The Philippine government has assumed the role of co-chair of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Southeast Asia Regional Programme, reaffirming its strong commitment to advancing the program's goals. In a statement on Thursday, DEPDev announced that the handover ceremony took place on June 3 during the OECD 2025 Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) held at the OECD headquarters in Paris, France.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippines now shares leadership of the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Programme with Canada. In his opening remarks, DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan underscored the importance of the Philippines' partnership with Canada, reflecting a shared vision for sustainable and inclusive development in the region. Balisacan highlighted the opportunity this co-chairship presents for exchanging experiences with regional partners and collaborating on shared priorities, particularly in areas such as private sector engagement, digital economy advancement, and innovation promotion.
Balisacan stated that the Philippines and Canada will collaborate to enhance engagement between Southeast Asian nations and the OECD, focusing on key global challenges such as sustainable infrastructure, corporate social responsibility, and inclusive economic development. He expressed gratitude towards the OECD, the outgoing co-chairs-Australia and Vietnam-and all member countries and regional partners for entrusting the Philippines with this critical responsibility. Balisacan also conveyed enthusiasm for working closely with Programme counterparts, whose expertise and commitment to international cooperation are well recognized.
During the event's breakout sessions, Balisacan discussed the Philippine government's comprehensive strategy for enhancing economic resilience amid a fragmented global trade environment. He emphasized key priorities, including strategic trade diversification and upgrading, harnessing digital transformation for inclusive growth, and adopting pragmatic approaches to artificial intelligence governance and international collaboration.
