This was according to a Department of Foreign Affairs release dated April 23 from Jakarta.

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Sugiono, Indonesia’s foreign minister, co-chaired the ministerial meeting, where both sides emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation as maritime nations navigating shared vulnerabilities—from sea security to energy supply disruptions.

The discussions highlighted the urgency of ensuring stable energy access and secure sea lanes, particularly as global conflicts continue to affect fuel prices, logistics, and food systems across the region.

Both countries committed to pursuing solutions not only at the national level but also through broader regional coordination with fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members.

The JCBC, the highest bilateral dialogue mechanism between the two neighbors, reviewed ongoing initiatives and mapped out future collaboration under the Philippines-Indonesia Plan of Action (2022–2027). Talks covered a wide range of priorities, including defense and maritime cooperation, border agreements, trade and investments, and food security.

Energy cooperation emerged as a key pillar, alongside efforts to secure maritime domains—critical for two archipelagic states dependent on open and safe sea routes for trade and resource movement.

Both sides also exchanged views on pressing regional issues, including developments in Myanmar, tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border, and the situation in the South China Sea. They acknowledged that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to have “profound impact” on ASEAN, particularly on energy and food security.

In response, Secretary Lazaro and Minister Sugiono committed to support regional approaches in addressing these shared challenges, underscoring ASEAN’s role as a platform for collective resilience.

Ahead of the ministerial meeting, senior officials from both countries convened to review the status of bilateral agreements and negotiations aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two maritime neighbors.

The JCBC mechanism, established in 1993, has gained renewed momentum, having been convened twice under the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after a decade-long hiatus, highlighting Indonesia’s importance as a key regional partner.

The Philippines and Indonesia, which established diplomatic relations in 1949, share one of the region’s oldest bilateral ties. Both are founding members of ASEAN, a relationship that continues to evolve as they confront shared geopolitical and economic challenges.

According to a news release from the embassy, this underscores Stockholm’s deepening commitment to sustainable growth, trade, and inclusive development in Southeast Asia.

Zurek, who joins the embassy from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), will oversee Sweden’s regional development portfolio covering the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Her appointment signals Sweden’s intent to expand its footprint in the Philippines, where ties have steadily widened in recent years across sectors such as infrastructure, clean energy, digitalization, and healthcare.

In her first week, Zurek met with key Philippine and international partners, including representatives from government agencies, multilateral institutions, and the private sector. Discussions ranged from green infrastructure and clean energy to climate resilience and sustainable development, setting the tone for closer collaboration.

“What struck me most was the openness and energy of our Philippine counterparts. There is a strong willingness to work together and turn ambitious sustainability goals into practical solutions that benefit people,” said Karolina Zurek, First Secretary/Trade and Development, Embassy of Sweden in Manila.

“My immediate priority is to strengthen links between development cooperation and trade so that our partnerships create long-term value, green jobs, and inclusive growth,” she added.

Sweden’s ambassador to the Philippines, Anna Ferry, said Zurek’s arrival reflects the importance Stockholm places on its relationship with Manila.

“We’re thrilled to have Karolina on board. In the Swedish foreign service, we are used to working in small teams and achieving big impact through close and effective collaboration,” the ambassador said.

“Adding Karolina makes a big difference, and it shows how much Sweden values its cooperation with the Philippines. With our growing presence in Manila, we are fully committed and ready to deliver,” she added.

The Philippines and Sweden have maintained diplomatic relations since 1947, with cooperation steadily expanding beyond traditional trade to include development partnerships, education, and cultural exchanges.

While bilateral trade remains modest, it is steadily growing. In 2023, Swedish exports to the Philippines reached about $200 million, led by wood products, paper, and pharmaceuticals, while Philippine exports to Sweden totaled around $114 million, including electronics and tobacco products. Philippine exports have also posted faster growth in recent years.

Beyond trade, investment ties are gaining traction. Swedish firms have been increasingly active in Philippine sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and healthcare, contributing to job creation and technology transfer. Both countries have also signaled interest in expanding cooperation through export financing and development programs supporting large-scale projects.

Labor mobility is another emerging pillar, with Filipino healthcare workers playing a role in Sweden’s care sector, although formal bilateral arrangements are still under discussion.

Despite geographic distance, both sides also see untapped potential in tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

The Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) said the country remains a key supplier, with its members accounting for about 73% of national output, totaling 37.81 million dry metric tons (DMT) in 2025.

“The Philippines remains a major player in the global nickel market,” said Charmaine Olea-Capili.

Nickel demand is expected to grow steadily, driven by electric vehicles, renewable energy, and infrastructure, according to the International Energy Agency.

The Philippines, which ranks sixth in global nickel reserves, continues to supply key markets, with China accounting for 66% of exports in 2025—down from 78% in 2024 as buyers diversify sourcing.

PNIA cited opportunities from supply chain diversification, emerging market demand, and increased investments in processing. However, near-term risks include potential oversupply, evolving battery technologies, and slower EV adoption.

Recent policy reforms, including Republic Act No. 12253, are expected to improve the investment climate by providing a clearer fiscal regime.

At the same time, the industry is advancing ESG initiatives and regional cooperation, including collaboration with Indonesia to strengthen supply chains. PNIA said continued improvements in infrastructure, energy readiness, and policy alignment will be key to sustaining growth.

Executives from more than 20 European companies, speaking during a three-day visit to Brussels, stressed the need for sustained high-level engagement with ASEAN to match the bloc’s growing strategic importance.

Key priorities highlighted included progress on EU trade agreements with ASEAN countries, along with practical cooperation in digital trade, green finance, energy transition, transport, and sustainability. Business leaders argued that stronger EU engagement is vital as rivals like China, Japan, and India expand their influence in Southeast Asia.

EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) Chairman Jens Ruebbert said: “The EU is one of ASEAN’s largest investors, yet it often lags behind other partners whose leaders maintain a strong presence. If the EU wants a permanent seat at the table, its leaders must show up.”

Executives also urged momentum on a region-to-region EU-ASEAN free trade agreement (FTA), citing the upcoming 50th anniversary as an ideal moment to launch negotiations. EU-ABC Executive Director Chris Humphrey added: “Starting FTA talks next year would be a milestone for EU-ASEAN relations.”

Meanwhile, the council called for the swift signing of the EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and speedy FTA conclusions with the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Beyond trade, business leaders emphasized practical cooperation, including investments in ASEAN’s Power Grid, sustainable transition projects, and development initiatives supported by the European Investment Bank, Global Gateway programs, and EU capacity-building efforts.

During their visit, EU-ABC members met with Commissioners Dan Jørgensen and Olivér Várhelyi; cabinet members of EVP Stéphane Séjourné, Commissioners Wopke Hoekstra and Jessika Roswall; officials from multiple DGs including TRADE, ENER, and INTPA; European External Action Service Asia Director Erik Kurzweil; advisors to European Council President António Costa; and MEP Wouter Beke.

Ruebbert concluded: “Brussels shows strong interest in ASEAN. The challenge is turning that interest into sustained engagement and practical cooperation that benefits both regions.”

Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT) President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. said the export sector is still assessing the potential impact of US President Donald Trump’s new 10% blanket tariff on imported goods, describing the evolving US trade policy as “confusing” and difficult to interpret.

Ortiz-Luis said the latest tariff order has left domestic exporters feeling “insecure” and “in limbo” as they await clearer guidance on its scope and duration.

Trump signed an executive order on February 20, 2026 imposing a 10% global tariff, which took effect on February 24, following a US Supreme Court ruling that invalidated his most sweeping duties. The US president has also threatened to raise the import tax further to 15%.

“It is not very clear to us how this will finally affect Philippine exports,” Ortiz-Luis said, noting that exporters are carefully reviewing the fine print of the new order.

He recalled that when the Philippines was previously subjected to a 19% tariff, the outcome was unexpectedly positive. Electronics and agricultural products — which account for the bulk of Philippine shipments to the US — were excluded from coverage, resulting in stronger-than-projected export performance last year.

“That 19% tariff did not really hurt us because our main products were exempted,” he said. “In fact, we even exceeded our export projections.”

However, with the new 10% tariff now in force, it remains uncertain whether Philippine goods will be covered, especially since the country had earlier entered into a tariff arrangement with the US involving a 19% rate on certain products.

“We don’t really know what will happen. We are in limbo,” Ortiz-Luis said.

Despite the unpredictability, he stressed that the Philippines began taking precautionary measures as early as last year. These include diversifying export markets and pursuing additional trade agreements with partners such as Canada and countries in the Middle East, while continuing dialogue with the United States.

Malacañang earlier confirmed that the Philippines will sustain close bilateral engagement with Washington to preserve strong economic ties, even after the US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s broader global tariff framework.

Beyond external negotiations, Ortiz-Luis called on the Philippine government to move beyond “lip service” and extend concrete support to exporters. He cited the need for improved access to financing, larger budgets for trade promotion, stronger product development programs, and more robust participation in overseas trade fairs.

He noted that ASEAN neighbors such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia deploy well-funded delegations of up to 200 exporters to major international trade exhibits, while the Philippines typically sends only around 10 participants, most of whom shoulder their own expenses.

Ortiz-Luis also flagged the country’s limited export financing environment, describing the Philippine export sector as among the most “underbanked” in Asia, with local banks hesitant to extend credit due to perceived higher risks in export ventures.

As the new US tariff regime unfolds, Philippine exporters are bracing for further developments, hoping for clarity in US trade policy while urging stronger domestic support to sustain growth in an increasingly volatile global market.

JAKARTA — For many Filipinos, the name Yusril Ihza Mahendra may not be widely known. But it is closely tied to one of the most emotional overseas worker cases in recent memory — the story of Mary Jane Veloso.

In Indonesia, he is known for something broader and deeper: a lifelong role in shaping the country’s constitutional life, guided by the belief that law must always be tempered by humanity.

A scholar, jurist, and statesman, Prof. Dr. Yusril Ihza Mahendra has spent decades at the intersection of legal reform, democratic transition, and public service. His work has often reflected a steady principle: that justice must uphold the authority of the state without losing sight of compassion.

Born on 5 February 1956 in Manggar, East Belitung, Yusril’s beginnings were far removed from Indonesia’s political and academic centers. Growing up in a modest coastal town in the Bangka Belitung Islands, he learned early that opportunity could be limited, but aspiration need not be.

Education became his path forward. Through discipline and curiosity, he pursued learning with a sense of purpose, carrying with him values shaped by his upbringing — humility, perseverance, and respect for knowledge. His journey to Jakarta as a student marked a turning point, opening doors to academic life, intellectual debate, and eventually public service.

From those early years, Yusril developed a view of education not simply as personal advancement but as a civic responsibility. That perspective would later define his career as a constitutional scholar and public intellectual, and eventually as a senior government figure whose decisions were shaped by scholarship and ethical reflection.

For more than five decades, his career has evolved alongside Indonesia’s own democratic transformation. He has contributed to constitutional reform, argued in landmark legal cases, and served in key government roles. Through it all, he has consistently maintained that democracy must rest on legal certainty, pluralism, and moral restraint.

Central to his philosophy is the belief that Islamic values, democratic governance, and human rights can coexist within a constitutional system that respects diversity. This balance between firmness and empathy became most visible in moments when law intersected with human lives.

For Filipinos, that intersection became real in the case of Mary Jane Veloso, an overseas Filipino worker who faced the death penalty in Indonesia after being used as an unknowing drug courier. The case drew international attention and sparked emotional appeals from the Philippines and beyond.

Yusril played an instrumental role in helping facilitate a humanitarian resolution that respected Indonesia’s legal processes while allowing space for compassion. Through careful legal advocacy and a restorative justice approach, he helped shape an outcome that upheld the country’s rule of law without losing sight of the human story behind the case.

The resolution resonated deeply in the Philippines, where Veloso’s plight had become symbolic of the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers. In Indonesia, it reinforced the possibility that justice can be firm without being unfeeling — a principle that has long defined Yusril’s legal philosophy.

Today, his long intellectual journey is captured in eight volumes released in honor of his 70th birthday. Rather than writing the books himself, Yusril allowed scholars, colleagues, and contemporaries to document his life’s work from different perspectives.

The collection covers a wide intellectual terrain: behind-the-scenes accounts of constitutional debates, reflections on Islam and democracy, analyses of legal thought and restorative justice, documentation of major legal cases, and personal stories tracing his path from rural Belitung to the center of state authority.

The books were launched on 7 February 2026 at Balai Kartini in South Jakarta, attended by prominent figures from Indonesia’s political, legal, and academic circles, including Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka;

Deputy Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Otto Hasibuan; Chairman of the Commission for the Acceleration of Police Reform and former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) Jimly Asshiddiqie; Deputy Chairman of the MPR Hidayat Nur Wahid;  as well as esteemed lawyers Maqdir Ismail and Todung Mulya Lubis.

At his side was his wife, Rika Kato Mahendra, whose quiet support has accompanied his public life.

Significantly, the volumes are being made freely accessible — a reflection of Yusril’s belief that knowledge is a public good and that education must remain within reach of ordinary citizens.

As Indonesia continues to navigate complex legal and political challenges, Yusril Ihza Mahendra’s story offers a quiet but powerful lesson. A boy from a remote island, guided by learning and conscience, can help shape the moral direction of a nation.

For Filipinos, his legacy carries an added meaning. In a moment of crisis, when one of their own stood at the edge of irreversible fate, his role helped show that justice and compassion can coexist.

Power may fade with time. But law, when guided by humanity, endures. In that enduring space — between justice and conscience — Yusril Ihza Mahendra’s influence continues to be felt, not only in Indonesia, but beyond its shores.

Ambassador Christopher B. Montero presented the plan during a meeting with leaders of INDOFIL (Rukun Indonesia-Filipina), an association of Filipino-Indonesian families.

The initiative seeks to equip young members of the community with basic Filipino language proficiency while strengthening their ties to the Philippines.

INDOFIL, led by President Jarvis Tambis, welcomed the project and expressed readiness to support its rollout this year.

The group represents a growing community of Filipino-Indonesian families, many of whom trace their roots back decades.

Although originally formed in 1987, the association has undergone several revivals, most recently in 2019, and now counts around 100 families within and outside Jakarta, with expectations of further growth.

Beyond the language program, Montero encouraged INDOFIL to collaborate with the Embassy on economic diplomacy initiatives and in providing briefings to newly arrived overseas Filipinos on the practical realities of living in Indonesia.

Philippine government estimates place the number of Filipinos in Indonesia at about 7,400 as of 2022. Of these, roughly 3,000 are overseas Filipino workers, with the rest composed of dependents, professionals on various visas, students, and long-term residents, primarily based in Jakarta and smaller communities in Surabaya and other major cities.

Officials from the Indonesian Embassy in Manila paid a courtesy call on the Department of Foreign Affairs–Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) on December 10, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to closer coordination on visas, immigration issues, detainee assistance, and protection against trafficking and recruitment scams.

The engagement comes as people-to-people and business ties deepen. Philippine government data estimate around 7,400 Filipinos residing in Indonesia, many of them skilled professionals in major urban centers, while Indonesian communities in the Philippines—ranging from documented residents to long-settled border communities—are estimated in the tens of thousands.

Consular coordination is increasingly relevant for companies with cross-border operations, particularly in managing workforce mobility, responding to labor disputes, and ensuring proper documentation for employees.

The two countries regularly use their Joint Consular Consultative Mechanism to standardize procedures and address sensitive cases that could otherwise disrupt bilateral relations.

Officials said sustained cooperation helps prevent abuses, speeds up assistance to nationals, and supports a more predictable operating environment for investors and employers in both markets.

The MSPI cluster is a strategically significant growth market for Tetra Pak, driven by rapid urbanization, evolving consumer preferences, and increasing demand for safe, efficient, and sustainable food systems. As food and beverage manufacturers across Southeast Asia adapt to shifting consumption patterns and sustainability expectations, the company continues to strengthen leadership to support innovation and operational resilience.

Perazzo brings nearly 30 years of experience with Tetra Pak, having held senior leadership roles across Finance, Marketing, and Sales. His career includes key assignments in the Southern Cone and Iberia regions, where he worked closely with customers to drive market expansion, improve production efficiency, and translate strategy into measurable business results.

In his most recent role as Sales Director for Tetra Pak Iberia, Perazzo led strategic customer management initiatives and contributed to the development of market strategies that enhanced competitiveness and long-term value creation.

He succeeds Michael Wu, who led the MSPI market with a focus on strengthening customer partnerships and positioning the business for sustained growth across the region.

“I’m excited to contribute to the continued development of the MSPI market and to work closely with customers as the industry evolves,” Perazzo said. “The region presents strong opportunities for innovation, and collaboration will be key to helping food and beverage producers meet changing consumer needs.”

The appointment underscores Tetra Pak’s commitment to supporting manufacturers in Southeast Asia as they pursue greater efficiency, product quality, and sustainability. By combining global expertise with local market insight, the company aims to help customers stay competitive while delivering safe, high-quality food products to growing communities.

Perazzo holds a degree in Economics from UADE University in Buenos Aires.

Carrying the theme “Resilience in Practice: EMS Collaboration and Multi-Sector Approach,” the symposium concluded A-PAD’s three-year initiative on emergency preparedness, volunteer engagement, and emergency medical services (EMS) capacity development, which was implemented under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects.

The event brought together representatives from national and local government agencies, international partners, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, providing a platform to share best practices, deepen cooperation, and reinforce multi-sector and cross-border partnerships.

In his remarks, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines ENDO Kazuya expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their active collaboration and highlighted the vital role of reliable medical and emergency systems in times of crisis. He further noted, “Just as calamities know no boundaries, so too must our capabilities to address them. With cross-border platforms such as A-PAD, disaster management can be a more effective equalizer in facing risks.”

Since its establishment in 2012, A-PAD has served as a regional framework for cooperation on disaster prevention and humanitarian relief, bringing together governments, the private sector, and civil society to ensure rapid and coordinated response in emergencies. Its network currently includes Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.