ISLAMABAD, 19 January 2026—Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez, participated in the Networking Gala Dinner of the 4th All Pakistan Women Chambers Presidents’ International Conference, held on 19–20 January 2026 at the Margalla Hotel, Islamabad.
The high-level gathering brought together women business leaders, policymakers, development partners, and members of the diplomatic community to advance dialogue on inclusive economic growth, women’s leadership, and global partnership.
The gala dinner on 19 January 2026 was hosted by Ms. Samina Fazil, Founder and President of the Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI), and Mr. Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, Patron-in-Chief of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (APJCCI). The event was graced by H.E. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, as Chief Guest, and served as a platform to celebrate women’s leadership, excellence, collaboration, and a shared vision for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Ambassador Fernandez’s attendance reflects the Philippine Embassy’s strong support for women-led economic initiatives and its alignment with the Philippines’ Gender and Development (GAD) agenda, which promotes the empowerment of women in all sectors—economic, political, social, and cultural. The Embassy views women’s economic participation as a critical driver of sustainable development and inclusive growth, both domestically and internationally.
The gala dinner formed part of the broader 4th All Pakistan Women Chambers Presidents’ International Conference, which convened presidents and senior leaders from more than 30 women chambers of commerce and industry across Pakistan, alongside diplomatic missions and key stakeholders. The conference aims to strengthen women’s economic participation, promote export-led growth, and encourage cross-border partnerships.
On 20 January 2026, a highlight of the conference program was a dedicated session on “Strengthening Trade Corridors: The Role of Diplomatic Missions in Advancing Women-Led Exports,” underscoring the important role of embassies and diplomatic missions in facilitating market access, building networks, and supporting women entrepreneurs in accessing global value chains.
The Philippine Embassy welcomed the opportunity to engage in this dialogue and share perspectives on how diplomacy can serve as an enabler of women-driven trade and enterprise.
Through its participation in this event, the Philippine Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to gender mainstreaming on the global stage, advancing women’s economic empowerment, and supporting initiatives that foster inclusive growth, cross-border collaboration, and people-to-people connectivity. The Embassy looks forward to deepening cooperation with women-led business organizations in Pakistan and exploring opportunities for partnerships that support women entrepreneurs in both countries.
The Philippine Embassy expresses its appreciation to IWCCI and APJCCI for organizing a timely and impactful forum and for providing a valuable platform for dialogue, recognition, and collaboration in pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable global economy.
