The Philippines and Qatar signed nine agreements on Monday, April 22, covering cooperation on combating human trafficking, seafarers’ welfare, tourism, sports, and climate change during the State Visit of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Manila.

Among those signed included a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the governments of the Philippines and Qatar to strengthen ties and enhance bilateral cooperation in combating human trafficking.

In the said MOU, both countries agreed “to work together to combat human trafficking, including advancing labor protection in both countries, through exchange of expertise in the field of legislation and exchange of studies and research.”

The Philippines and Qatar will work to identify and implement joint projects, exchange legislations and regulations related to combating human trafficking, promote public awareness, and exchange studies and research on the issue.

Recognition of seafarers

Another MOU signed was the agreement on mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates to implement the provisions stipulated in the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention) of 1978, and the amendments, in which Qatar acceded by Decree No. (14) of 2003.

This refers to Circular No. 1450 issued by the Maritime Safety Committee on Jan. 24, 2013, on the Mutual Recognition of Certificates according to Regulation I/10 of the STCW Convention.

The MOU agreed between the Philippines’ Maritime Industry Authority, (Marina) and Qatar’s Ministry of Transport, “shall apply to the certificates of seafarers who serve on registered merchant ships of any of the participants and sail under its flag except for those who serve on the ships mentioned in Article 3 of the STCW Convention.”

Climate change cooperation

Under the MOU on technical cooperation on capacity building on climate change, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and Qatar’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change will enhance collaboration to pursue technical cooperation, capacity-building, enhance knowledge sharing, and promote transformative climate action, aligned with the shared goals on climate action under the Paris Agreement of 2016.

“The Parties will enhance technical cooperation and capacity building on climate change in mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and development, education and awareness," the MOU read.

"Other areas of cooperation may be added as agreed upon in writing by the Parties through diplomatic channels,” it added.

Sports cooperation

The Philippines and Qatar agreed to promote cooperation and facilitate communication between their respective sports federations and to set the framework for the programs of cooperation, which are to be based on the principle of reciprocity.

Under the MOU, the participants shall strengthen their cooperation in the field of sports by exchanging visits of sports delegations, coaches, experts, and specialists in the field of sports and physical education, exchanging research and sharing experiences related to sports and physical activities, and participation in meetings, conferences, lectures, seminars and academic forums on topics dealing with sports held in both countries.

They also eye to explore opportunities of staging sports competitions based on the interests of the sports federations where participation and financial issues in such competitions are subject to the concerned bodies in both countries.

Tourism cooperation

Under the MOU on tourism cooperation, both countries will work to develop and strengthen the means of cooperation between them in the fields of tourism and business events.

Through the MOU, the parties will cooperate to promote tourism by encouraging tourist flows to travel to both countries and promoting cooperation between the travel and tourism agencies and other relevant establishments to increase tourist exchange.

It also aims to strengthen coordination between the participants, encourage tourism investments in coordination with the competent authorities, and promote coordination at the international level, particularly in holding meetings, conferences, and forums of international organizations regarding tourism.

Youth cooperation

The MOU on cooperation for the youth aims to promote cooperation and facilitate communication between youth organizations in both countries and set the framework for the programs of cooperation for the field of youth.

Both countries' cooperation will be enhanced through visit exchanges of youth delegations, members of youth centers, and specialists in the field of youth, as well as experiences exchanges and research related to the youth sector.

Respective participants will also join meetings, conferences, lectures, seminars, and academic forums on topics related to youth held in both countries. They will also explore opportunities to establish youth camps alternately in both countries and exchange research and studies on youth employment and entrepreneurship.

Visa requirements waiver

Both countries likewise signed an agreement that seeks to facilitate the travel of the parties’ nationals who are on official missions for their respective governments, respectful of the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of  1961, and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963.

The agreement covers valid diplomatic and official passports for the Philippines, while those covered for Qatar will be valid diplomatic and special passports.

“Nationals of either party who are holders of valid passport types mentioned in Article 1 of this Agreement are exempted from the obligation to obtain visas for entry and stay in the territory of the other party, for a stay of 30 days,” the agreement read.

“Provided, the passport presented must have a validity period of at least three months beyond the period of allowed stay in the territory of the other Party," it added.

Chambers of Commerce

Meanwhile, the two other MOUs signed were between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and between the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Philippines and Qatar established their diplomatic relations on May 5, 1981.

There are an estimated 242,609 Filipinos in Qatar country. In 2022, remittances to the Philippines from Qatar amounted to $895.33 million.