02 March 2016 – Philippine Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III attended today a roundtable discussion “On Issues of Mining Legislation and Regulation: International Aspect” in Vladivostok in the Russian Far East on February 29.

The event was organized by Senator Andrey Klimov, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on International Relations of the Federation Council of Russia in cooperation with the Far Eastern Federal University. It was attended by legislators from Russia and ASEAN-member countries as well as mining experts from the Russian government, private sector and academe.

The aim of the roundtable is to discuss issues of common interest among mineral-exporting countries particularly as regards sustainability and mitigating environmental impact.

Senator Pimentel shared the Philippine experience in terms of existing government policy, legislation and future directions. He also highlighted the unique features of Philippine mining law including the recognition of the rights of indigenous people and their ancestral domains.

The participants agreed on the importance of continued cooperation between the leading minerals exporters of the Asia-Pacific Region.

Senator Pimentel’s visit to Vladivostok follows the landmark visit of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon to Moscow and St. Petersburg in October 2015. END