Visit of the French Ambassador for the Indo-Pacific to the Philippines (April 24-26, 2024) [fr]

Mr. Abensour, accompanied by the French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel met the Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Teresa Lazaro, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and Presidential Assistant for Maritime Affairs Andres Centino. He also met representatives of the Asian Development Bank and the Philippine Space Agency (Copernicus program).

Mr. Abensour also held talks with the Chief of Staff of the French Navy, Admiral Nicolas Vaujour.

He also gave a press conference to present France’s Indo-Pacific strategy, and held discussions with think-tank representatives.

The action of the Ambassador for the Indo-Pacific includes 4 priorities:

1 – In liaison with the General Secretariat for Defence and National Security (SGDSN), he is responsible for the interministerial coordination of France’s Indo-Pacific strategy for each of its four pillars : security and defence ; economics, connectivity and innovation ; multilateralism and the rule of law ; climate change, biodiversity and the sustainable management of oceans.

2 – He contributes to the representation of our country in the region, and strengthens ownership of the Indo-Pacific strategy by all public and private stakeholders. He increases our cooperation with the partners of the region and regional organizations and deepens the inclusion of French overseas territories in their neighbourhood.

3 – He promotes the French vision of an inclusive Indo-Pacific, in which France seeks to serve as a stabilizing power, committed to effective multilateralism based on the rule of law.

4 – He contributes to the implementation of the European strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, in coordination with the European Union institutions and other Member States.

Find out more about the Ambassador for the Indo-Pacific: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/regional-strategies/indo-pacific/france-s-ambassador-for-the-indo-pacific/