LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—On 15 April 2026, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), with the support of 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 the ambassador's discussion was the economic growth, specifically the ongoing negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Ambassador Santoro 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 pointed out that the Philippines is one of only eight countries benefiting from the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), a special mechanism that allows tariff-free exports of over 6,200 products to the EU. He also noted that the EU and the Philippines enjoy a complementary agricultural relationship, as many products native to one region are not found in the other, thereby minimizing direct competition and making goods cheaper for consumers.
Meanwhile, under the Global Gateway framework, Ambassador Santoro detailed how the EU is supporting the Philippines' transition to a digital and green economy. He highlighted the Copernicus satellite system, a network of 20 European satellites that provides critical data to the Philippines on land use, the effects of climate change on crops, and disaster management, such as identifying the direction of oil spills. Regarding the green economy, he discussed mainstreaming circular economy models to improve plastic recycling and adopting smarter irrigation practices to reduce water consumption while maintaining yields, among other measures.
During the open forum, Ambassador Santoro addressed complex issues, including food system transformation and the adoption of biotechnology. He emphasized that legislative frameworks are key drivers of innovation, as they command the shift toward healthier and more environmentally friendly production standards. He also encouraged youth leaders in agribusiness to pursue an all-encompassing, data-driven, inclusive, and sustainable production model.
The session concluded with SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration Dr. Rico Ancog and UPLB Chancellor Dr. Jose Camacho, Jr., presenting the ambassador with a replica of the SEARCA Growth Monument, which consists of 11 stylized human figures linked internally on a square base, symbolizing synergy amid the diversity of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) member countries toward a more prosperous Southeast Asia.
Grounded on the Center'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 the gap between diplomacy, science, and policy for the benefit of the region's agricultural future.