Ambassador Jana Šedivá ends her tour of duty after serving as Czech Ambassador to the Philippines for four years
The first female ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Philippines, H.E. Jana Šedivá, ended her tour of duty on June 11, 2023. Ambassador Šedivá served for over four years as the Czech top envoy to the Philippines.
A year after assuming the office, Ambassador Šedivá took on the challenge of heading the diplomatic mission at the onset of a global crisis. Despite the limitations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Embassy of the Czech Republic has made numerous strides in strengthening bilateral relations between the Czech Republic and the Philippines.
Under her leadership, the Embassy of the Czech Republic managed the repatriation of Czech nationals stranded in the Philippines back to the Czech Republic and assisted thousands of people in this challenging period.
In an effort to forge closer ties with defence partners, Ambassador Šedivá signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic a Memorandum of Understanding – with the Department of National Defense of the Republic of the Philippines. Significant economic gains were also achieved during Ambassador Šedivá’s term. The Embassy has organized business fora that served as avenues for creation as well as renewal of opportunities for partnerships between Czech and Philippine companies. One of the most significant outcomes was the signing of agreements between the Czech Chamber of Commerce and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry that sought to bolster trade and investment between the Czech Republic and the Philippines.
Ahead of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Czech Republic and the Philippines in 2023, Ambassador Šedivá oversaw a historic visit of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, H.E. Petr Fiala, and a visit of a delegation from the Czech Parliament led by the Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, H.E. Jan Skopeček.
Among other accomplishments of hers, Ambassador Šedivá will be remembered for strengthening people-to-people ties and fostering goodwill between the Czech Republic and the Philippines, particularly during a global crisis. The longstanding friendship and shared heritage between the two countries are documented in the book titled “Kaibigan – Přátelé: Czech-Philippine Cultural and Diplomatic Dialogue”, which was spearheaded by the lady diplomat, a far-reaching legacy that Ambassador Šedivá has left us with.
Read related stories:
Watch related videos:
