The Philippine and United States governments signed on Tuesday an agreement that will establish a regional hub for advancing women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda in the country.

To be called the “Center of Excellence for WPS,” the hub will serve as a platform where experts and stakeholders can share best practices and exchange on peace and security issues.

“Through the establishment of the center of excellence in the Philippines, we humbly aim to transform our country into a regional hub that will promote the WPS agenda in Southeast Asia,” Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said.

“We envision to carry this out through local and national policy engagement, standardizing approaches for national action plan development, and bridging existing WPS communities together.”

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by Deputy Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Undersecretary Isidro Purisima and Senior Official to the State Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI) Katrina Fotovat on the sidelines of the 2024 International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS) in Pasay City.

Witnessing the signing were Galvez and US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson.

The WPS Centers of Excellence is a program launched by the S/GWI last year following consultations with key stakeholders amid the growing need for governments to increase capacity to implement the WPS agenda from a local, national, and regional context.

In her speech, Fotovat said the US has earmarked at least USD2 million to support the initiative.

“This MOU signing is not just a moment for the Philippines and the US but indeed for the WPS agenda globally,” she said.

“It shows an innovative movement towards utilizing women, peace, and security as an avenue for responsive policy and tangible implementation.”

On top of the Philippine WPS center, two similar hubs have been opened in Kosovo and Colombia. (PNA)