Amb. Ignacio, assisted by Third Secretary (Political) Mark Anthony P. Dizon, in discussions with Amb. Dambajav on PH-Mongolia cooperation.

NEW DELHI, 29 April – Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio warmly welcomed H.E. Ganbold Dambajav, Ambassador of Mongolia, at the latter’s call on 29 April.

The Heads of Mission welcomed the uptick in bilateral engagement between the Philippines and Mongolia over the last few years, as manifested by high-level meetings and technical cooperation and training initiatives. The two countries celebrated a half-century of diplomatic ties in October 2023.

Ambassador Dambajav’s call was also occasioned by Mongolia’s hosting of the 48^th Consultative Committee Meeting (CCM) of the Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic and Social Development in Asia and the Pacific, taking place on 30-31 May 2024 in Ulaanbaatar.  Both sides acknowledged the abiding relevance of the Colombo Plan as a platform for collaboration among member countries for economic and social development in Asia and the Pacific, particularly in areas such as human resources development, technical cooperation, and other exchanges that advance South-South Cooperation.

The Colombo Plan was established on 1 July 1951 by Australia, Canada, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom. It has since expanded to 27 member countries, including non-Commonwealth countries and countries belonging to regional groupings such as ASEAN and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

The Philippines became a member in 1954 and, since then, has participated in various high-level meetings and programs of the grouping. The Philippines hosted the 21^st  and 37^th Consultative Committee Meetings in 1971 and 1998, respectively. END