<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Council of Ministers this past Tuesday has taken note of the approval of the Country Partnership Framework (MAP,</strong> <strong>by its acronym in Spanish) for Sustainable Development between the Philippines and Spain, for which a budget forecast of approximately 27 million euros is estimated for the period 2025-2028.</strong></h4> The MAP was signed on November 25 by the director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Antón Leis, and the undersecretary of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Joseph J. Capuno, within the framework of the trip made by the director of the AECID to the Asian country to participate in the VII Joint Spanish-Philippine Cooperation Commission and after the damage caused by the super typhoon Man-Yi, known locally as Pepito. The general objective of the MAP 2025-2028, as reported by the AECID in a press release, is “to contribute to the consolidation of a more efficient democratic State that guarantees peace, justice and equity, as well as to the construction of a resilient society against the effects of climate change and natural hazards.” According to the Council of Ministers, a budget forecast of approximately 27 million euros is estimated for the period 2025-2028. To achieve these objectives, the treaty is divided into three areas of action. The first focuses on promoting peaceful coexistence and human rights guaranteed by the democratic State, the second aims to promote a green, inclusive, efficient, sustainable and resilient economy against climate change – “something that takes on special importance after the destruction caused by recent natural disasters,” and the third area is the empowerment of women, youth and indigenous communities, thus reinforcing the commitment to the development of the Philippine population, with respect for its own history and identity. The Philippines is the only priority country for Spanish Cooperation in Asia and this new Partnership Framework “seeks to highlight the excellent bilateral relations between both countries, reflecting the priorities of the new Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and emphasizing Spain's commitment as a key partner for the Asian country,” the Agency continued.
