24 September 2013 – The Philippines actively participated in the 1st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)–United Nations (UN) Senior Officials Meeting held on September 23 at the Permanent Mission of Brunei Darussalam to the United Nations in New York.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Evan P. Garcia expressed satisfaction over ASEAN-UN cooperation being implemented under the ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership Declaration of 2011.
“Cooperation between ASEAN and the UN is widening in scope, and the Philippines welcomes this trend,” Undersecretary Garcia said.
Undersecretary Garcia highlighted peacekeeping, human rights, and disaster risk management as areas in which ASEAN and the UN can further enhance their cooperation.
UN officials recognized ASEAN Member States’ contributions to peacekeeping operations, including that of the Philippines.
Undersecretary Garcia emphasized that ASEAN and the UN should work closer together especially as ASEAN is establishing a people-centered ASEAN Community in 2015, and the UN is working on a post-Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) framework.
Undersecretary Garcia likewise expressed appreciation for UN assistance to the Philippines in the aftermath of natural disasters.
ASEAN and UN officials also discussed preparations for meetings between the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon and ASEAN Foreign Ministers and ASEAN Leaders to be held later this year. END