Malaysian Consul General, Mr Deddy Faisal Ahmad Salleh attended the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) forum, Breaking Barriers: Diplomatic and Dabawenya Leaders Shaping the Future, on 24 June 2026, in conjunction with the International Day of Women in Diplomacy.
The event brought together diplomats, business leaders, educators, and civil society representatives to celebrate women’s achievements and discuss leadership, inclusion and gender equality.
The keynote address by H.E. Saija Nurminen, Ambassador of Finland to the Philippines, highlighted the importance of ensuring women are represented in leadership and decision-making. She stressed that diverse perspectives lead to stronger policies and more effective solutions while equal opportunities should be based on merit rather than gender or background.
During the panel discussion, Ms. Mary Ann Montemayor, Honorary Consul of Hungary in Mindanao, emphasised that leadership is defined by capability not gender. She noted that qualities often associated with women including empathy and a nurturing approach are increasingly recognised as valuable strengths in today’s leadership.
A fireside conversation featuring H.E. Saija Nurminen, Ms. May Tio, Dr. Lyre Anni Murao, Ms. Vanessa Suatengco and Ms. Vivien Martin explored resilience, integrity and professional growth. The speakers agreed that advancing gender equality is a shared responsibility with both women and men playing essential roles in building more inclusive and equitable societies.