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Press Release
CONSUL GENERAL DIANO AND IOWA LT. GOVERNOR COURNOYER AFFIRM PHILIPPINES-IOWA FRIENDSHIP
Consul General Diano (right) and Iowa Lt. Governor Cournoyer (left) exchange tokens
during the former’s call on the latter at the State Capitol in Des Moines
11 September 2025, Des Moines, Iowa - Consul General Atty. Melanie Rita B. Diano looked forward to expanding trade relations with Iowa, in exploring an innovation exchange with Iowa, specifically in biotech and energy, and in celebrating the auspicious 80 years of friendship between the Philippines and the United States in 2026.
Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer, Chair of the STEM Council of Iowa, committed to help connect the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago with educational institutions with strong foundations in biotech, particularly the University of Iowa and the State University of Iowa. She also expressed interest in helping connect the Philippines with the office of Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig in a possible trade mission to the Philippines, as well as having a proclamation recognizing the 80 year anniversary of Philippines-US relations next year.
Iowa is a major trade partner of the Philippines, in particular on pork and pork products, soybean meal and soybeans, ethanol and co-products, beef and beef products, and others (corn, processed foods, etc.). In 2024, total trade between the Philippines and Iowa reached US$63.1 million.
Consul General Diano (second from left) and Iowa Lt. Governor Cournoyer (third from left)
pose with Consul Alders and Ms. Duran-Mortel
Joining the Consul General were Consul Ma. Theresa M. Alders as notetaker and Ms. Mary Joy Duran-Mortel as protocol officer [END].
Consul General Diano (right) and Iowa Lt. Governor Cournoyer (left) exchange tokens
during the former’s call on the latter at the State Capitol in Des Moines
11 September 2025, Des Moines, Iowa - Consul General Atty. Melanie Rita B. Diano looked forward to expanding trade relations with Iowa, in exploring an innovation exchange with Iowa, specifically in biotech and energy, and in celebrating the auspicious 80 years of friendship between the Philippines and the United States in 2026.
Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer, Chair of the STEM Council of Iowa, committed to help connect the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago with educational institutions with strong foundations in biotech, particularly the University of Iowa and the State University of Iowa. She also expressed interest in helping connect the Philippines with the office of Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig in a possible trade mission to the Philippines, as well as having a proclamation recognizing the 80 year anniversary of Philippines-US relations next year.
Iowa is a major trade partner of the Philippines, in particular on pork and pork products, soybean meal and soybeans, ethanol and co-products, beef and beef products, and others (corn, processed foods, etc.). In 2024, total trade between the Philippines and Iowa reached US$63.1 million.
Consul General Diano (second from left) and Iowa Lt. Governor Cournoyer (third from left)
pose with Consul Alders and Ms. Duran-Mortel
Joining the Consul General were Consul Ma. Theresa M. Alders as notetaker and Ms. Mary Joy Duran-Mortel as protocol officer [END].