As the United Kingdom marked the birthday of King Charles III earlier this week, UK Ambassador Laure Beaufils said the monarch’s lifelong passion is for environmental sustainability, a vision she says deeply resonates with Filipinos.
“King Charles was advocating concepts such as the circular economy and natural capital years before they captured the public’s imagination,” said Ambassador Beaufils during her farewell King’s Birthday Party (KBP) celebration in Manila.
She described the King as “a modern King with a strong vision and a passion for youth, community, diversity, the environment and sustainability, and strong appreciation for the multi-cultural, multi-religious country he leads.”
Beaufils said the shared values between the UK and the Philippines—especially when it comes to the environment. “I know these values all resonate deeply in the Philippines,” she said. “So to me, this once again confirms all that we have in common and all that brings us together.”
The UK has partnered with the Philippines on climate action, biodiversity, and environmental governance in recent years. Beaufils noted that UK-Philippines cooperation includes initiatives in “climate and biodiversity, cyber security, maritime security and defense, human rights, the peace process, science and tech, business and trade.”
With climate change disproportionately affecting island nations like the Philippines, King Charles’ global environmental advocacy offers a moral and strategic alignment that strengthens bilateral ties.
Beaufils expressed confidence this shared commitment will endure. Veronica Uy
