UNGA 78: Philippines Calls for Just, Equitable and Rules-based Order, Solidarity for SDGs

Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo calls for renewed trust and solidarity to strengthen the UN during his speech in New York on 23 September 2023.

NEW YORK 25 September 2023 – The Philippines today called for renewed trust and solidarity towards a rules-based order guided by international law that guarantees the flourishing in peace of free and equal nations during the high-level General Debate of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78).

In his message delivered on behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. before world leaders, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo emphasized the country’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism, with the UN Charter as its bedrock.

“The UN spirit calls upon us to decisively respond to existential threats such as global warming, degrading ecosystems, diseases, and food insecurity, and to reclaim the power of dialogue and diplomacy as we manage new complexions of conflict and strategic competition,” Secretary Manalo said.

Secretary Manalo reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to promoting the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes in addressing cross-border concerns, including abidance to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to deal with continuing challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

“If multilateralism must endure, all states must adhere to the rule of law.  Guided by an independent foreign policy, the Philippines actively works with nations to promote a rules-based international order.  We advocate the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with international law.  This has always been our position with respect to the disputes in the West Philippine Sea, in as much as we are prepared to defend our sovereignty, sovereign rights and territorial integrity,” the Secretary added.

The theme for this year’s UNGA is “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.”

In line with the UNGA theme, Secretary Manalo stressed that “the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the aspirations of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights are unfinished projects whose future is in our hands. Through solidarity, we can foster a constructive multilateralism that embraces this challenge with courage and perseveres in hope and common purpose.”

Acknowledging the country’s vulnerability to climate change, Secretary Manalo called on “industrialized countries to abide by their obligations under the UN FCCC and the Paris Agreement,” adding that the Philippines “look(s) forward to COP28 adopting decisions on the Loss and Damage Fund and other climate financing mechanisms.”

During the General Debate, the Philippines touted its mid- and long-term development plans and vision as the country’s contribution to global efforts to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“We are in the homestretch to secure SDG outcomes globally.  The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is well-integrated in the Philippines’ mid- and long-term development plans.  We can unlock opportunities for the Philippines and developing countries, including middle-income countries, to advance South-South cooperation and meet development goals across the world.  As a middle-income country, we support initiatives to make international financial and development mechanisms more attuned to the needs of middle-income countries,” Secretary Manalo stated.

Finally, highlighting the longstanding recognition of the Philippines as a partner, pathfinder, and peacemaker at the national and international levels, Secretary Manalo highlighted the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the term 2027-2028.

“The Philippine candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the term 2027-2028 manifests our strong desire to offer the best of the Philippine diplomatic tradition. We count on the support of all UN member states in this regard,” he concluded.

The General Debate opened on 19 September with UN Secretary General António Guterres presenting his annual state of the world report.  Over the course of six days, the Philippines joined the 193 other UN member states in discussing solutions to address interlinked global issues on peace, security, and sustainable development.

The Department of Foreign Affairs was joined by various Philippine government agencies in representing the country to the 2023 UNGA High-level Week in New York, which included important meetings that tackled climate change, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, international finance for development and health issues such as universal health care, elimination of Tuberculosis, as well as pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.  END