The enormous reliance of the Philippines on foreign energy supplies has exposed the vulnerable side of the country to any geopolitical uncertainties that took place in areas such as the Middle East and recently in the war between Russia and Ukraine. This lecture will look at the experience of the Philippines’ energy relations with the Middle East throughout the decades. It will offer perspectives on how the country can avoid this geopolitical exposure and at the same time maximize the use of its own local energy resources. Furthermore, the lecture will focus on looking at the local energy condition, issues, and challenges of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Henelito A. Sevilla, Jr. has sixteen (16) years of teaching experience and currently serves as Dean and Professor of West Asia studies and Philippine External Relations at the Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman. He obtained his MA and PhD in International Relations from Shahid Behesti University and Tehran University, Iran, respectively. His recent publication talks about “Iran’s Pragmatic Approach in Accommodating China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A Determinant for Future Closer Bilateral Relations” in China’s Engagement with the Islamic Nations, Young-Chan Kim (ed), Springer, 2023. Currently, he is working on a research project about Strategic Pragmatism in Abraham’s Accord: The Arab-Israeli Relations and China’s Political Navigation in Securing Middle East Peace. As a recognized expert on the Middle East and international relations, Dr. Sevilla has published several academic articles and book chapters in Philippine and Middle East studies. He founded the Philippine-Middle East Studies Association (PMESA) and sets as adviser to several academic and cultural organizations. His research interests are on Mindanao, Gulf Security dynamics, geopolitics and energy security, foreign policy, among others.
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Bangsamoro Research and Legal Network 