LIFE IN MANILA Amb. Mellbin leans into life in Manila. He and his wife Eva harvest their own produce in their backyard, including the bananas in the photo

Denmark’s Ambassador Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin arrived in September last year, but it feels like he’s been around for much longer. Being half-Danish myself, I took a keen interest in his work as he hit the ground running—err—biking as Danes do.

In the same month he arrived, he and our own envoy to Denmark, Ambassador Leo Herrera-Lim, welcomed a Danish delegation from the food and agriculture sector. Since then, he has earned a Filipino nickname (Dan-Dan), started gaining recognition on social media, and the embassy has been abuzz with lots of activities—just the way he likes it.

The ambassador is an expert on Asia, having been posted in China and Afghanistan earlier in his career and served as an ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and later to Japan. At one point, he was also the Asia director in their foreign ministry.

“Asia has always interested me a lot,” said Ambassador Mellbin. “I feel that Asia, certainly over the last few decades, has been the most dynamic place in the world, and it will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. It’s a very dynamic region, and the people here—especially in the Philippines—are very nice.”

The official residence the ambassador shares with his wife, Eva Fischer-Mellbin, is an homage to Denmark with pockets of Asian influence brought over from their previous postings. Royal Copenhagen pieces adorn the bright living room and entryways while Louis Poulsen lamps loom over the dining table, and old samurai paintings sit on a shelf in their den. It’s a true East-meets-West home and a great representation of his career so far.

EAST MEETS WEST A corner of the home dedicated to their various postings in Asia through the years

Filling economic gaps

One of the central themes that emerged from our conversation was Ambassador Mellbin’s unwavering commitment to renewable energy and its potential for the Philippines. With Denmark being the largest foreign investor when it comes to renewables, the ambassador sees a lot of potential for the two countries to work together. He emphasized the Philippines’ vast array of options, ranging from wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and hydro, which could collectively form a robust and sustainable energy system.

“The Philippines currently has an energy crisis. Not everyone has access, and those who do are paying too much. So you need more generation capacity—solar and wind are the two fastest ways of upgrading that. And it has the added advantage that it’s Filipino sun, Filipino wind. So it’s your resources for the country that add a huge economic advantage. Moreover, wind and solar are the two cheapest ways to produce electricity today,” he said. The ambassador expressed confidence that if we played our cards right over the next decade, the Philippines could build a more robust and sustainable energy infrastructure, providing cheaper electricity to the people and fostering economic growth.

BEST OF DANISH DESIGN Part of being an ambassador is representing the best one's country has to offer. Amb. Mellbin's home is full of beautifully designed pieces by Danish furniture and lighting experts

Aside from renewables, Ambassador Mellbin also emphasizes the importance of agriculture in driving the Philippines’ growth. Drawing from Denmark’s expertise, particularly in pig farming, he envisions the export of genetics and knowledge as a means to fill productivity gaps in the Philippine economy.

Optimizing pig genetics and feeds, as well as improving infrastructure and disease control, is a key area of focus. By transferring knowledge and investing in capital-intensive projects, the agricultural sector can flourish, contributing significantly to the country’s economy.
“That’s why I say let’s make this the decade of the Philippines,” Ambassador Mellbin said. “The Philippines has all the chances to become the next huge growth story in Asia. Let’s seize the opportunity and make it happen.”

Advocating for sustainable transport

Apart from his diplomatic responsibilities, Ambassador Mellbin is also an ardent advocate of sustainable transportation, particularly cycling. He praises the increasing number of Filipinos who have taken it up as a mode of commuting. “It’s really about making the infrastructure less car-centric, making it safer for people to bike,” he said. While acknowledging another challenge posed by the country’s tropical climate, he suggests adopting a simple yet effective policy implemented in Denmark—ensuring that companies of a certain size provide showers for their employees.

Such facilities would enable individuals to freshen up after a bike ride to work, making the idea of cycling more enticing for the general public. By embracing sustainable transportation practices, the Philippines can reduce congestion, improve air quality, and promote healthier lifestyles. The ambassador and his wife often bike to fellow ambassadors’ homes, and he sometimes leaves early on weekends to bike all the way to Masungi Georeserve. It’s quite a distance, but it’s nothing new. “I have a son who bikes to work. It’s a little far—almost 30 kilometers.”

TRANSPORT OF CHOICE Public transport may be efficient in Copenhagen with their driverless trains but nothing beats the good old bike

The Mellbins have three boys, two of whom are already working in IT and banking. The youngest is studying biomedicine. When asked about the challenges of diplomatic life for his kids, the ambassador shared that being a diplomatic kid himself prepared him for fatherhood. The son of diplomats, he also found himself constantly uprooted, even finding it challenging to readjust in Copenhagen after moving back. “You have to equip your children with the languages they need,” was one of the many tips he shared, adding that he made sure their boys know Danish and English well. “I am also lucky that my wife is Denmark’s most prolific Danish teacher,” he said with a smile.

It’s going to be an exciting journey for Ambassador Mellbin as he continues his tenure. With his wide range of interests and his social media presence starting to take off, there will be lots to expect. With a vision for a more robust and sustainable future, he also encourages the Philippines to seize the opportunities at hand and make this decade a transformative period of growth and development. As he aptly puts it, let us make this the decade of the Philippines—a decade of growth, progress, and shared prosperity.