The Miriam College Global Affairs and Diplomacy held its Diplomatic Hour entitled “The Implications of the European Union's Global Gateway Initiative for Southeast Asia and the Philippines” last March 20, 2023 from 3-5 pm via Zoom and livestreamed via YouTube with European Union relations experts Fanny Sauvignon, Dr. Eric Frecon and Dr. Jaggannath Panda as guest speakers. 

 The European Union's Global Gateway Initiative is a strategic initiative launched by the European Commission in 2018. Its primary objective is to strengthen the EU's role as a global actor by enhancing connectivity and cooperation with other regions particularly with the ASEAN. 

 The Global Gateway wants to put focus on improving connectivity between the EU and other regions and countries. This includes improving transport links, digital connectivity, and people-to-people contacts. By doing so, the initiative aims to promote economic growth, job creation, and social development and make this a truly competitive offer for the region. There are issues on how this could be done with various stakeholders in question, with different strategies to promote multipolar connectivity governance.  

Miriam College’s Global Affairs and Diplomacy department appreciates and thanks the participation of the speakers/panelists who were in Brussels, Singapore, the US, and Manila during the event that was moderated by Dr Carlos Tabunda.  The multi-location of our panelists shows many concerns are indeed global in significance.