SEARCA’s 5th Meet the Diplomat highlights Ukraine-Philippines ties
LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) held the fifth session of its Meet the Diplomat Series on 29 July 2026, featuring Her Excellency Yuliia Fediv, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of the Philippines.
The session highlighted opportunities to expand agricultural markets, strengthen bilateral trade, and deepen academic collaboration between Ukraine and the Philippines.
In her presentation, titled “Between the Skies and Planes,” Fediv outlined Ukraine’s national profile and cultural heritage, and described the country’s continued role as the breadbasket of Europe despite supply chain disruptions and geopolitical challenges.
She said there is room for economic expansion across agricultural and industrial sectors, noting that bilateral trade between Ukraine and the Philippines stands at about USD 60 million.
She identified possible trade flows, including Ukrainian exports of wheat, sunflower products, and meat to the Philippines, as well as imports of Philippine processed foods and tropical fruits.
Fediv also said a formal agreement between Ukraine’s Ministry of Agriculture and the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture is in its final stages and is targeted for signing before year-end.
Beyond trade, Fediv emphasized technology and academic partnerships as tools for addressing climate change and supply chain disruptions.
She said Ukraine is pioneering online inspection mechanisms as an alternative to physical site visits for food safety and product certification.
Fediv added that SEARCA and institutions such as the University of the Philippines Los Baños could tap the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies for joint research, faculty and student exchanges, and educational initiatives.
These efforts align with the 2024 Ukraine-ASEAN Strategy, which prioritizes food security, trade and investment recovery, and people-to-people relations.
During the open forum, Fediv addressed questions on youth engagement and civic solidarity. She said diplomacy goes beyond government channels and encouraged young Filipinos to amplify Ukrainian perspectives online, join academic initiatives, and foster cross-cultural dialogue.
The session ended with SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration Dr. Rico Ancog presenting the ambassador with a replica of the SEARCA Growth Monument. The monument, which features 11 stylized human figures linked on a square base, symbolizes unity among the 11 SEAMEO member countries.
SEARCA said the session underscored how economic partnerships, shared innovation, and people-to-people engagement can support global stability, democratic endurance, and food security.
The event is anchored in SEARCA’s 12th Five-Year Development Plan, SUSTAIN Southeast Asia (Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia).
Missed the session? Watch the presentation here: https://bit.ly/MDS-Ukraine.
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