PH Embassy Calls for Stronger Interfaith Dialogue and Grassroots Peacebuilding at KAICIID Roundtable
Philippine Ambassador Paul Raymund P. Cortes (leftmost) together with KAICIID Secretary General Ambassador António de Almeida Ribeiro fifth from right), Korean Ambassador Cho Yeongmoo (center), and the Ambassadors and senior representatives of the Asian diplomatic corps in Portugal.
Lisbon, 14 May 2026 — The Philippine Embassy in Portugal participated in the International Dialogue Centre KAICIID Roundtable on “Transformative Dialogue Approaches for Peace and Social Cohesion” held on 14 May 2026 at the KAICIID Headquarters in Lisbon. The roundtable, organized for the Asian Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Portuguese Republic, convened ambassadors and senior representatives to exchange perspectives on interfaith dialogue, preventive diplomacy, and regional cooperation.
In his opening remarks, Secretary General António de Almeida Ribeiro underscored that “dialogue is no longer optional; it must be understood as preventive diplomacy, social resilience, and increasingly, a matter of collective security.” He emphasized that sustainable peace cannot rest solely on agreements between states, but must also be rooted in trust within societies, strengthened through partnerships among governments, religious leaders, civil society, and local communities.
During the roundtable, Ambassador Paul Raymund P. Cortes highlighted the Philippines’ longstanding commitment to interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding, recalling the country’s successful initiative at the UN General Assembly in 2005 in promoting interfaith dialogue as a mechanism for peace. He noted that the Philippine experience in Mindanao demonstrates that “self-determination and national sovereignty are not mutually exclusive,” citing the Bangsamoro Organic Law as an example of inclusive governance grounded in dialogue, respect for identity, and national unity.
Ambassador Cortes also stressed the importance of ASEAN-centered dialogue mechanisms in sustaining regional peace and stability, particularly through the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation. He underscored the need to engage younger generations and civil society actors in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, noting that “trust-building at the grassroots level is what eventually rises into policymaking and makes it easier for governments to solve larger issues.” He further highlighted the role of digital connectivity in addressing hate speech, climate challenges, and intercultural understanding across borders.
Pakistani Ambassador Aisha Farooqi welcomed KAICIID’s growing engagement in Southeast Asia and encouraged the expansion of similar initiatives into South Asia, particularly through greater inclusion of women and youth leaders in intercultural and interfaith dialogue platforms.
The roundtable featured presentations on KAICIID’s programmes in Southeast Asia, including partnerships in the Philippines with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, local universities, women peacebuilders, youth leaders, and religious communities. Discussions also explored the role of dialogue in addressing climate action, migration, social cohesion, and urban governance. The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement and inclusive dialogue in advancing peaceful coexistence and regional resilience.
Organized in cooperation with Korean Ambassador Cho Yeongmoo, the roundtable sought to deepen engagement with the Asian diplomatic corps in Portugal and provide a platform for reflection on the role of dialogue in advancing peace, social cohesion, and harmonious societies, particularly through the experiences and initiatives of KAICIID’s Asia Program. END
Philippine Ambassador Paul Raymund P. Cortes shares the Philippines’ experience in interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding, underscoring the role of grassroots trust-building, ASEAN cooperation, and inclusive governance in advancing regional peace and social cohesion, during the roundtable.
Vera Leal Ferreira, Head of Head of Regional Programmes and Oversight, presents KAICIID’s global mandate and work on interreligious and intercultural dialogue, outlining the organization’s convening role, partnerships, and field programmes aimed at strengthening peace, social cohesion, and community resilience across regions.
Philippine Ambassador Paul Raymund P. Cortes Paul Raymund P. Cortes discusses the Philippines’ commitment to preventive diplomacy and interfaith dialogue, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement, civil society partnerships, and ASEAN-led cooperation in sustaining peace and regional stability.