PH Delegation set to Participate in the 75th Session of the UNGA, High-Level Week

PASAY CITY 21 September 2020 — His Excellency, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will head the Philippine delegation to 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week (HLW), through a hybrid format that adapts to the new normal brought about by travel and other restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Philippine participation includes submission of pre-recorded statements and participation to virtual meetings and side events.

President Duterte will speak for the first time to address the UNGA on the first day of the High-Level General Debate within the 0900-1445H window, New York time. The President will articulate the Philippine positions on a wide range of issues of key importance to the country such as the global response to the coronavirus pandemic; peace and security, including terrorism and geopolitical developments in the Asia Pacific; sustainable development and climate change; the rule of law; justice and human rights - including the situation of migrant workers and refugees; peacekeeping and UN reforms.

The 75th Session of the UNGA opened on 15 September 2020, while the HLW with the theme, “The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism - confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral action” will open on 22 September.

The Philippines, like other ASEAN Member States, will refrain from sending capital-based delegates to the HLW of the UNGA. Only officials from the Philippine Mission in New York and other New York-based delegates from other ASEAN Missions will physically attend the meetings in the UN.

The Philippine delegation is also expected to participate in the following meetings: High-level meeting to Commemorate the Seventy-fifth Anniversary of the United Nations on 21 September, UNGA75 High-Level General Debate on 22 to 26, 29 September; United Nations Summit on Biodiversity on 30 September; 25th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women on 01 October; and International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on 02 October, among others.

The High-Level General Debate will be presided over by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th UNGA. END