Others

AI and Strategic Foresight at Groundbreaking Leadership Workshop in the Philippines November 27, 2025

Manila, the Philippines – 74 officials from national and local government institutions participated in the Leadership Workshop on Strategic Foresight and the AI Nexus for Advancing Anticipatory Governance and Policy Innovation in the Philippines, held from 19 to 20 November 2025. The event was organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), through its Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) and the UN Project Office on Governance (UNPOG), in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)/Local Government Academy (LGA), the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev), the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA), and the UN Resident Coordinator Office in the Philippines.

The workshop responded to increased demand from Philippine institutions for capacity development on integrating strategic foresight and artificial intelligence (AI). It also built on the outcomes of the 9th Regional Symposium on Effective Governance and AI Transformation organized by UN DESA.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Changseob Han, Head of UNPOG/DPIDG/UN DESA, emphasized that effective governance—and the ability of public institutions to apply foresight and AI responsibly—remains essential for long-term sustainable development. Recalling the guidance of the UN Secretary-General, he underscored the importance of strengthening anticipatory approaches to address risks before they escalate.

Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon of DEPDev highlighted the importance of environmental scanning, empathy-driven decision-making, and rising above short-term pressures to build the future that Filipinos deserve. DEPDev Innovation Staff Director and National Council Executive Director Diane Gail L. Maharjan also discussed the Philippine AI landscape and emphasized how systems thinking and innovation can strengthen anticipatory governance.

Mr. Marlo Iringan, CESO III, Undersecretary for Local Government at DILG, called participants to action, noting that as AI reshapes how knowledge is managed, government officials also have the power to design the future and respond to emerging challenges. Dr. Alex Brillantes, Secretary-General of EROPA, added that while AI may be an instrument for improved administration, it is equally important to ask “for whom” these tools are used.

In addition, Undersecretary Lea-Grace B. Salcedo of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and Assistant Director Esmeralda Daphne Purnell, CESO IV, of the Local Government Academy underscored that the workshop offers an opportunity to advance the Philippines’ ambitious national goals and realize its 2040 vision.

Mr. Matija Kovac, Head of the Resident Coordinator Office, emphasized maintaining a long-term vision, applying foresight tools in governance, and sharing good practices from the Philippines more widely. He reaffirmed that the United Nations will continue to stand with the Philippines on this path.

The discussions highlighted the role of strategic foresight in supporting national priorities, including the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023–2028, the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIAS) 2023–2032, and the long-term vision AmBisyon Natin 2040. Participants also took part in hands-on exercises to apply foresight tools, identify emerging risks and opportunities, explore alternative future scenarios, and develop prototype policy options.

Key messages emerging from the workshop included the importance of fostering a foresight mindset across institutions; ensuring that AI transformation is responsible, ethical, and inclusive; and strengthening leadership capacities to translate insights into action. The recent impacts of Typhoons Fung-wong and Kalmaegi underscored the relevance of anticipatory governance in addressing compound risks and strengthening resilience.

The workshop also featured the UN Global Horizon Scanning AI-Powered Tool currently being developed by DPIDG to support future-oriented public administration.

A follow-up session will be convened within three months to support continued learning, promote the exchange of good practices, and reinforce the application of workshop insights within government systems. This forms part of the Philippines’ ongoing commitment to advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Pact for the Future.

To learn more about the event, click here.
 
프린터 트위터 바로가기 구글 바로가기 밴드 바로가기 페이스북
LIST