U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim and Philippine Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña signed an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation at the close of the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue on July 16.
Manila, July 17, 2019 — U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim and Philippine Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña signed an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation at the close of the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue on July 16. Under the agreement, the two nations commit to promote scientific collaboration, build relationships between their respective scientific institutions and communities, and provide opportunities to exchange ideas and information in order to advance common goals.
“The United States is proud to partner with the Philippines to promote scientific advancement and cultivate relationships based on open collaboration,” said Ambassador Kim. “We believe the combined abilities of our scientists, our institutions, and our communities are more than a match for the shared challenges we face.”
Secretary de la Peña said, “There is so much to work on together, particularly those problems that will affect ordinary people. Whether you are talking about the environment or innovation, there is much to gain by mutual cooperation.”
Planned areas for cooperation under the agreement include public health, marine sciences, environmental protection, and energy. The agreement, signed during National Science and Technology Week, will be in effect for ten years.