European Union Ambassador Franz Jessen and the Romanian Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Mihai Sion and German Deputy Ambassador Michael Hasper are going to Guimaras Island from April 15-16, 2016.
Jessen and his colleagues will meet with Gov. Dr. Samuel Gamarin, Iloilo City Administrator Norlito Bautista, Jordan Mayor Cresente Chavez Jr., mango industry stakeholders, the press and other local government officials in Western Visayas.
The ambassador said “The EU is looking forward to participating in “Sikaran” (bike tour) as a pre-Earth Day advocacy initiative to call on all stakeholders to help in countering climate change and to meet with mango industry stakeholders to see how to further boost EU-Philippines’ trade particularly to increase access of Guimaras mangoes to international markets by way of adherence to intellectual property rights and to geographical indications’ standards.”
The diplomats are joining “Sikaran” in Jordan, Guimaras on April 16 in their bid to reiterate environment advocacy of the European Union. The participation to the bike tour is also in keeping with the 25th year anniversary of the EU Delegation in the Philippines.
“Sikaran” is a bike tour covering up to 25 kilometers organized by the Jordan municipal government together with Guimaras Provincial Government and John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University. It is being held in conjunction with the “Manggahan” Mango Festival.
The EU recently committed to lowering carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This binding commitment forms part of the EU package implemented in the framework of the first-ever universal global climate deal which 195 nations, including the EU and the Philippines, adopted at the Paris Conference last December 2015.