BAKU 04 May 2024 – The Philippine Embassy to Azerbaijan with Residence in Ankara participated in the 6th World Forum for Intercultural Dialogue on 01–03 May 2024 at the Baku Convention Center in Azerbaijan. The Philippine delegation was led by Rep. Maria Rachel J. Arenas, Chairperson of the Philippine House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, and composed of Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto, Jr., accompanied by his spouse, Madame Ann Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto, Foreign Affairs Committee Secretary Jonalyn L. Villasante, and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Angela E. Tolentino.
Photo: The Philippine delegation to the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue led by Rep. Rachel J. Arenas (second from left) and composed of Ambassador Henry. S. Bensurto, Jr. (center), accompanied by his spouse, Madame Ann Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto (second from right), Foreign Affairs Committee Secretary Jonalyn L. Villasante (leftmost), and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Angela E. Tolentino (rightmost) (Embassy photo)
During the session entitled, Ïnterparliamentary Conference: The role and best practices of the legislature in the protection of cultural heritage,” Rep. Arenas talked about the two (2) Philippine laws that provide the legal mechanisms to safeguard our historic sites, national treasures, intangible heritage, namely the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 and the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act of 2009. Rep. Arenas also discussed international conventions ratified by the Philippines and regional initiatives supported by the country to enhance cooperation in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
Photo: Rep. Rachel J. Arenas and Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. at the Plenary Hall of the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue (photo courtesy of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs)
On the sidelines of the Forum, Rep. Arenas had a meeting with Hon. Samad Seyidov, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign and Interparliamentary Relations of the Parliament. Rep. Arenas also had a bilateral meeting with Hon. Mushfig Jafarov, Leader of the Azerbaijani-Philippines Interparliamentary Relations Working Group.
Photos: Rep. Rachel J. Arenas having bilateral meetings with Hon. Samad Seyidov (left) and Hon. Mushfig Jafarov (right) (photo courtesy of the Offices of Hon. Seyidov and Hon. Jafarov)
During the meetings with her counterparts, Rep. Arenas announced the establishment of the Philippines-Azerbaijan Parliamentarians’ Friendship Group in the Philippine House of Representatives. They discussed further development of relations between Philippines-Azerbaijan and strengthening engagements between parliamentarians. END
