EU-Philippines green trade push gets Gen Z spotlight

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), with support from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), hosted the third session of its Meet the Diplomat Series (MDS) featuring His Excellency Massimo Santoro, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Philippines. The event served as a high-level platform for aligning EU foreign policy priorities with those of the Philippines.

A central focus of Ambassador Santoro’s discussion was economic growth, particularly the ongoing negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He expressed hope that the negotiations would be concluded in 2026, noting that free trade is a primary driver of job creation and economic well-being. He highlighted that the Philippines is one of only eight countries benefiting from the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which allows tariff-free exports of over 6,200 products to the EU. He also emphasized the complementary agricultural relationship between the EU and the Philippines, in which products native to one region are not found in the other, thereby minimizing competition and lowering consumer costs.

Under the Global Gateway framework, Ambassador Santoro detailed how the EU is supporting the Philippines’ transition to a digital and green economy. He cited the Copernicus satellite system, a network of 20 European satellites providing critical data on land use, climate change impacts on crops, and disaster management, including oil spill tracking. He also discussed mainstreaming circular economy models to improve plastic recycling and adopting smarter irrigation practices to reduce water consumption while maintaining yields.

During the open forum, Ambassador Santoro addressed complex issues such as food system transformation and biotechnology adoption. He stressed that legislative frameworks are key drivers of innovation, enabling shifts toward healthier and more environmentally friendly production standards. He also encouraged youth leaders in agribusiness to pursue inclusive, data-driven, and sustainable production models.

The session concluded with SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration Dr. Rico Ancog and UPLB Chancellor Dr. Jose Camacho, Jr., presenting Ambassador Santoro with a replica of the SEARCA Growth Monument, symbolizing synergy amid diversity among Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) member countries toward a more prosperous Southeast Asia.

Grounded on SEARCA’s 12th Five-Year Development Plan: Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia (SUSTAIN Southeast Asia), the third MDS session reaffirmed SEARCA’s commitment to building strategic international partnerships that bridge diplomacy, science, and policy for the benefit of the region’s agricultural future.