The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) convened the fifth installment of its Meet the Diplomat Series on July 29, highlighting opportunities to expand agricultural trade, improve market access in Southeast Asia and strengthen economic cooperation between Ukraine and the Philippines.
The session featured Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Yuliia Fediv, and was the latest in the series following diplomatic discussions with representatives from Thailand, Spain, Vietnam and the European Union.
Focus on trade and market access
In her presentation, Fediv outlined Ukraine’s position as one of the world’s major agricultural producers, often referred to as the breadbasket of Europe, and discussed the country’s efforts to sustain agricultural production and exports despite the ongoing war.
She identified several opportunities to expand bilateral trade, citing Ukrainian exports to the Philippines such as wheat, sunflower products, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals and meat products. She also pointed to the potential for increased imports of Philippine processed food products and tropical fruits into Ukraine.
The discussion also covered regulatory issues, including food safety standards, and the role of digitalization in agriculture. Fediv said digital platforms developed in Ukraine have improved public services and streamlined transactions across sectors.
Institutional cooperation and academic ties
The forum also underscored efforts to deepen cooperation between Ukraine and the Philippines beyond trade.
Fediv said lectures, forums and other academic initiatives were being organized to increase awareness of Ukraine in the Philippines. She added that some Philippine educational institutions have begun exploring the inclusion of Ukrainian studies in their academic programs, with Ateneo de Manila University formally joining the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies.
Among the initiatives discussed was the proposed establishment of a Joint Commission on Trade and Investment to provide a formal mechanism for expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.
Platform for diplomacy, science and policy
The Meet the Diplomat Series is part of SEARCA's 12th Five-Year Development Plan, Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems Through Innovation in Southeast Asia, or Sustain Southeast Asia.
According to SEARCA, the series serves as a platform linking diplomacy, science and public policy while promoting dialogue on foreign policy priorities, development initiatives and collaboration in agricultural technology, education, research and rural innovation.
Participants included diplomats, policymakers, researchers, academics, development professionals and youth leaders. SEARCA said the forum encourages discussions on shared regional challenges, including food security, supply chain disruptions and climate change.
SEARCA Center Director Mercedita Sombilla said the series strengthens the institution’s engagement with embassies and international partners.
Strengthening regional partnerships
Fediv also discussed the impact of current global conditions on agricultural trade and food systems, emphasizing the importance of maintaining production and export channels despite ongoing disruptions.
SEARCA said the forum reaffirmed its commitment to fostering partnerships between Ukraine and Southeast Asian countries as they work to address common food security and trade challenges.
The center described the Meet the Diplomat Series as its newest knowledge-sharing platform, providing diplomats with an opportunity to present updates on their countries, foreign policy priorities, development programs and areas for cooperation with the Philippines and the broader Southeast Asian region.
The July 29 session concluded with discussions on advancing trade facilitation, technical cooperation and academic exchanges between Ukraine and Philippine institutions.