Global Gateway Forum 2023

Nearly two years ago, in December 2021, the European Union launched the “Global Gateway” initiative, the European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. The Global Gateway is a partnership of equals. To formalize this partnership, a Global Gateway Forum is organized today in the EU capital Brussels, Belgium. It brings together our key global partners – the Philippines will be represented by the Secretary of Finance, Benjamin E. Diokno – to examine progress and to consider further opportunities and challenges in the strategy’s implementation.

The primary themes evolve around shared global priorities such as the transition to a green economy, renewable energy and green hydrogen, education and research, critical raw materials, transport corridors, health products manufacturing and digital infrastructure.  As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen explained in her State of the European Union address last month about the Global Gateway: “These are investments in our partners’ economies. And they are investments in Europe’s prosperity and security in a fast-changing world.” In other words, the Global Gateway aims to engage with partners globally to promote global public goods, which as such will impact positively both the EU and its partners.

In the Philippines, as highlighted by President von der Leyen during her visit to Manila last July, the EU’s Global Gateway will focus on the twin-transition to a green and digital economy. Witnessed by Presidents Marcos and von der Leyen on 31 July, I signed a joint declaration on the Green Economy Program together with DENR Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga. On 17 October, the NEDA Board, chaired by President Marcos, approved this Program, which will be funded by a P3.62-billion grant from the European Union, and it will be formally signed today at the Global Gateway Forum by DOF Secretary Diokno.

As Secretary Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management posted after the NEDA Board meeting: “This Program will empower the national government, LGUs including BARMM and the private