FSI proposes regional confab to Indo-Pacific issues

MANILA – The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) is hoping to stage a regional conference that would bring together diplomatic academic institutions from across Southeast Asia to identify and develop solutions to foreign policy issues affecting the region and the wider Indo-Pacific.

FSI Director General Francisco Noel Fernandez made the proposal at the inaugural Foresight Conference on Emerging Foreign Policy Issues on Thursday.

The conference touched on global trends shaping the future of international relations and its specific impacts on the Philippines.

"The world is undergoing rapid and profound transformations. Geopolitical shifts, technological advancements, climate change, and economic uncertainties are reshaping the global landscape," he said.

"As the primary agency responsible for advancing our country's foreign policy interests, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) must be at the forefront of these changes. We must be proactive, agile, and innovative in our approach to diplomacy," he added.

The forum gathered diplomats, policymakers and the academe to identify emerging global trends such as the rise of artificial intelligence, the impact of climate change, and the evolving geopolitical landscape and assess their potential impact on the national interest.

Fernandez said he will propose holding its regional iteration at the next Conference of Higher Education Institutions in International Relations and Studies (CHEIIRS).

He said the FSI hopes to host foreign academics endorsed by the diplomatic academies of their respective countries to share their assessments on challenges besetting the region.

The proposal aligns with Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III's vision of making the Philippines a "host of talks" where it is considered a "natural choice" for a venue for solutions and talks of dispute resolution.

"If we want a reformed and independent foreign policy dedicated to the pursuit of international solidarity and the national interest, we must invest in our foreign service and our foreign service officers," he said in his foreign policy address at the DFA on Friday.

"An obvious first step is providing budgetary support to the Foreign Service Institute, enabling it to fulfill its vision to be [the] leading institution in Asia for diplomatic training and foreign policy research as it reaches its golden year," he added.

Pimentel said he will push to strengthen the DFA "so that the Philippines can pursue and continue its activist role on the international stage, proposing bold and challenging new ideas, all meant to further improve the international order by making the world order fairer."

Over the past few weeks, the Philippines has hosted various international fora that sought to advance discussions on a number of issues, including women, peace, and security; and disaster risk reduction. (PNA)