DFA Forges Path of Cooperation with The United Nations for 2025
Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and Secretary for Socio-Economic Planning Arsenio M. Balisacan leads the Philippines-United Nations Dialogue 2025 organized by the Office of United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPD Johannes Adrian De Guia)
MANILA 14 March 2025 — The Office of United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO) of the Department of Foreign Affairs brought together Philippine government agencies, the United Nations, and other development partners for a Philippines-United Nations Dialogue 2025 held on 05 March 2025.
With the theme “Driving Transitions for Impact, Scale, and Synergy,” the Dialogue charted the way forward for strategic development cooperation as the country transitions to an upper-middle-income economy status.
Headlined by Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and Secretary for Socio-Economic Planning Arsenio M. Balisacan, the Dialogue was attended by more than 150 participants from various Philippine government agencies, United Nations agencies and other international organizations, resident Embassies and diplomatic missions, and representatives from the private sector in Manila.
In his welcome statement, Secretary Manalo outlined the Philippines’ vision for development cooperation that brings to our country and people “impact, scale, and synergy”, in support of the goal set by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the country to graduate to upper-middle-income economy status.
“We recognize that the United Nations and all our development partners can be part of our journey during this transition,” Secretary Manalo remarked. “We are taking steps towards development cooperation that is more intentional, focused, and directed towards filling in the gaps and accelerating development during this period of transition.”
Secretary Manalo cited the importance of continuing the implementation of the Philippines 2024-2028 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (SDCF), which set the stage for new generation partnerships that adheres to transparency, accountability, and national ownership.
“The Philippines’ evolving needs and context require thoughtful recalibration of old approaches, towards a new playbook, new templates, new strategies,” Secretary Manalo added.
The Dialogue featured two panel discussions on “Driving the Philippines’ Key Transition: Innovating Cooperation Models for Upper-Middle-Income Economy” and “Transitioning Philippines-United Cooperation for Impact and Synergy.”
The discussions looked at challenges and solutions of the Philippines’ transitions, including new models and sources of development financing, leveraging new technologies and innovation, fostering close coordination and consultations, and maximizing opportunities for partnerships and collaboration.
Distinguished speakers included Secretary for Science and Technology Renato U. Solidum, former-Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Management Association of the Philippines Governor Jose Rene Almendras, and other experts from the government and United Nations agencies.
Prior to the Philippines-United Nations Dialogue, the Philippines and the United Nations also jointly convened the 2nd Meeting of the Joint Steering Committee of the Philippines 2024-2028 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (SDCF).
The Joint Steering Committee is the highest governing body that provides strategic oversight, support, review and guidance of the SDCF. During the meeting, representatives from Philippine agencies and United Nations agencies discussed the key achievements of the SDCF in 2024, and discussed the ways forward for 2025.
The SDCF was signed during the United Nations Day commemoration on 14 October 2024 in the presence of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., which signals the country’s political commitment to and partnership with the UN. The SDCF redefines the Philippines’ strategic partnership with the United Nations to support the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and Ambisyon Natin 2040.
The meeting was co-chaired by Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and Secretary for Socio-Economic Planning Arsenio M. Balisacan and United Nations Resident Coordinator Arnaud Peral. END
Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and Secretary for Socio-Economic Planning Arsenio M. Balisacan and United Nations Resident Coordinator Arnaud Peral co-chairs the 2nd Meeting of the Joint Steering Committee of the Philippines 2024-2028 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (SDCF)(Photo courtesy of DFA-OPD Johannes Adrian De Guia)