Former United Kingdom prime minister Tony Blair paid a courtesy call to President Ferdinand R. Marcos in Malacañang on Tuesday, where they discussed a wide range of topics on bureaucracy and governance based on the best practices in developed countries.
Marcos met Blair in the United States on the sidelines of his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, discussing initiatives to achieve lasting peace and sustainable development.
According to the President, they tackled the peace process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and explored concrete ways to address other priority issues in the global economy, such as food security, climate change action and trade.
In his speech at the 77th session of the UNGA, Marcos cited the Philippines’ success in achieving peace in BARMM by turning to “inclusive dialogue.”
Blair serves as the current executive chairman of the Tony Blair Institute For Global Change, a non-profit organization that seeks to support political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies in a globalized world.
Also in attendance during Tuesday’s meeting were Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos.
