The Philippine Embassy in Dili led by Ambassador Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia attended the opening ceremonies of the 2nd Regional SEARCA Fellows Association Conference on Food Security, Poverty Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation. The event was held at Hotel Timor in Dili from October 08 to 09.
The conference was organized by Timorese nationals who completed their graduate studies in agriculture, forestry, and related fields under the sponsorship of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). Some of the Timorese scholars studied in the University of the Philippines Los Baños and are now holding key positions in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of Timor-Leste and other local institutions.
State Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Estanislau Alexio da Silva was the keynote speaker of the conference. He called for a more integrated approach in addressing agriculture and food security issues in the country.
The Embassy’s participation in the conference is in line with the Philippines’ commitment to help Timor-Leste develop its agro-industry.