IRISH Ambassador to the Philippines Emma Hickey expressed interest in renewable energy, education, and cultural exchange during a courtesy call with Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte.
The ambassador paid a courtesy call to the mayor on July 1, 2026, in a meeting facilitated by the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC).
DCIPC, in a press release, stated the leaders discussed possible cooperation on renewable energy, drawing on practices used in Ireland.
Duterte said the city government would provide institutional support to encourage Irish companies to invest locally.
“Mayor Duterte warmly welcomed this outlook and strongly encouraged Irish companies to invest in the city, assuring the Ambassador that the local government provides robust institutional support and works continuously to make the investment process as smooth and efficient as possible,” the DCIPC stated.
During the courtesy call, Hickey remarked on the size of Davao City and the scenery of the wider Davao Region, prompting discussion on the Philippines’ natural landscapes and the cultural heritage of the city’s indigenous groups.
“There is real peace here,” Hickey said, recognizing the peace and security of the city through Peace 911, the community-based peacebuilding and emergency response program established under former Davao City Mayor and current Vice President Sara Duterte.
The talks also covered economic development and infrastructure, with Hickey citing the ongoing negotiations for a European Union-Philippines Free Trade Agreement, hoping it will be concluded within the year.
The EU and the Philippines are actively negotiating a modern, comprehensive FTA aimed at securing duty-free market access and boosting trade.
Negotiations were initially launched in 2015 but stalled in 2017. Formal negotiations were resumed in 2024.
The EU and the Philippines concluded the sixth round of EU-PH FTA negotiations in Manila on May 22, 2026.
The two officials additionally discussed potential partnerships between local schools and international education organizations, as well as labor and migration issues.
Hickey noted the growing number of Filipinos living in Ireland and emphasized that the Irish people hold a deep affection and high regard for the Filipino community.
The ambassador eyed possible cultural and tourism collaborations, including a proposed music event featuring local Davao artists, noting the massive popularity of iconic Irish bands in the country.
The attendance of the ambassador in the region is primarily to attend the Civil Society Summit for the Bangsamoro: Strengthening Constituencies for the Peace Process, organized by the Initiative for International Dialogue.
The meeting also marked Hickey’s first visit to the city, though she said she had previously traveled to other parts of Mindanao.
