06 March 2019 – Ambassador Mary Jo A. Bernardo-Aragon attended the Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN+3 Conference on Social Enterprises, which was held at Swissotel in Bangkok, Thailand. The conference theme was “Advancing Social Enterprises for Realization of SDGs in ASEAN,” which is in line with the theme of Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanship, “Enhancing Partnership for Sustainability”. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Chatchai Sarikulya presided over the opening ceremony. Also present during the event are Gen. Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Thai Minister of Social Development and Human Security, ESCAP Deputy Executive Secretary Hongjoo Hahm and other ASEAN diplomats based in Thailand.
Ambassador Mary Jo A. Bernardo-Aragon (5th from right) at the opening ceremony presided over by Thai Deputy Prime Minister Chatchai Sarikulya (center), with Gen. Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Thai Minister of Social Development and Human Security (7th from left), ESCAP Deputy Executive Secretary Hongjoo Hahm (6th from left), and other ASEAN diplomats based in Thailand
The speakers at the opening ceremony recognized the important role of social enterprises, which improves the living conditions of people in the ASEAN region as well as furnishes the needs of government, the business sector and civil society. ESCAP Deputy Executive Secretary Hahm shared that 69% of social enterprises in ASEAN are women-led. He likewise mentioned that the Philippines has enacted a law that governs the establishment of social enterprises. Deputy Prime Minister Chatchai shared that the late King, Rama IX, initiated the social enterprise model, which has been acknowledged by the UN. He added that Thailand is currently considering a draft bill on social enterprises.
The Philippine delegation to the conference were composed of Ms. Ma. Victoria Oliveras, from the Department of Trade and Industry, and representatives from the private sector.
