16 April 2024 - H.E. Ambassador Maria Lumen B. Isleta hosted the 15 April 2024 briefing entitled “Migration and Gender Issues: How gender issues figure in Sweden’s Migration and Asylum policies and key changes in Sweden’s Migration Policies”, with Sweden’s Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard as featured guest speaker.
The event forms part of the series of briefings / presentations organized by the Core Group of Ambassadors for Gender Equality comprised of the Ambassadors from Canada (Chairperson), Argentina (Co-chairperson), Morocco, Egypt, Australia, Guatemala, Thailand, France, Germany, Rwanda, Thailand, Spain and the Philippines.
The event, held at the Philippine Embassy, gathered together some 40 Ambassadors as well as Chargé d’Affairs, a.i., Deputy Chiefs of Missions, and Consuls General of other Stockholm-based Embassies.
Minister Maria Stenergard Maria presented an overview of the current situation of immigrants in Sweden as well as key developments / changes in the migration policies that have been implemented and/or will be implemented by Sweden in the coming months. Minister Stenergard also discussed the programmes and activities of the Ministry of Migration and the Swedish government in bridging the gender gap for immigrant women, girls, and members of the LGTBQIA+. END
22 March 2024 - H.E. Ambassador Maria Lumen B. Isleta met with Ms. Lena Lindgren Schelin, Director General, Swedish Coast Guard, on Thursday, 21 March 2024, in Stockholm, Sweden.
Director General Schelin gave a brief presentation on the Swedish Coast Guard, including its organisation as well as its role and responsibilities. Ambassador Isleta, for her part, provided an overview on the Philippine Coast Guard and its current activities. Both sides discussed the challenges faced by each agency in ensuring safe borders for their respective countries, and the possibility of having exploratory discussions on possible areas of cooperation.
Also present during the meeting were Second Secretary Pat Lester F. Solosa and Swedish Coast Guard International Relations Officer Caroline Lindeborg. END
22 March 2024 - H.E. Ambassador Maria Lumen B. Isleta hosted the Network of Women Ambassadors in Sweden (NWAS) meeting, on Thursday, 21 March 2024, at the Philippine Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
During the meeting the Ambassadors discussed the objectives and the structure of the NWAS, and future plans and activities to be carried out by the group. The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia and the Ambassador of Thailand were also appointed as the next NWAS Chair and co-Chair, respectively. END
15 March 2024 - H.E. Ambassador Maria Lumen B. Isleta met with Ms. Olivia Wigzell, Director General, National Board of Health and Welfare, on Monday, 11 March 2024, Stockholm, Sweden.
Discussions centered on the process for the issuance of licence to practice, and accreditation of degree programmes and courses for foreign nurses who wish to work in Sweden. Both sides also discussed the Swedish health care system and the challenges it faces.
The National Board of Health and Welfare works to ensure good health, social welfare and high-quality health and social care on equal terms for the whole Swedish population. The activities concern social services, health and medical care, and communicable disease prevention. END.
