Philippines Highlights Strategic Vision for Middle-Income Countries at Pre-Conference Press Briefing
From left to right: DFA Undersecretary Charles Jose, DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, DEPDEV Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines, Mr. Arnaud Peral, at the Press Briefing for the MICS Conference (Photo courtesy to DFA-OPD Maria Vanessa Ubac)
MANILA 25 April 2025 – In a press briefing held yesterday, 24 April 2025, the DFA Secretary Enrique A. Manalo, DEPDEV Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, DFA Undersecretary Charles C. Jose, and UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines, Mr. Arnauld Peral, presented the strategic vision and objectives of the upcoming High-Level Conference of Middle-Income Countries (MICS Conference), to be hosted by the Philippines from 28 to 29 April 2025 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
The MICS Conference, hosted by the Philippines in collaboration with UNESCAP, UNDP, UNIDO, and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Manila, takes place at a historic moment, marking both the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the Philippines’ 80th year of UN membership.
With the theme “Breaking New Grounds: Towards a Strategic Plan of Action for Middle-Income Countries”, the conference highlights the country’s leadership in shaping bold, forward-looking solutions for challenges faced by middle-income countries, while also advancing our vision for inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth, firmly aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, the 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, and our aspirations under Bagong Pilipinas.
In his opening remarks, DFA Secretary said, “The Philippines and our 18 partners in the Like Minded Group for MICs, are bound by a common aim to shape a more enabling environment to help middle-income countries to sustain our growth path. This Conference advances the Group’s objective to pursue concrete solutions to address shared challenges of MICs such as inequality, climate vulnerability, access to technology, financing, and innovation, among others.”
He further stated, “This is a defining moment for middle-income countries to emerge, not as passive beneficiaries of global progress, but as dynamic architects of a more inclusive, resilient, and just world.”
The Conference will culminate with the adoption of the Makati Declaration on Middle-Income Countries, which outlines Proposed Elements for a Strategic Plan of Action for MICs 2025–2030, which will lay out concrete recommendations and cooperative frameworks for ways forward.
Building on its long-standing leadership in multilateral diplomacy, the Philippines will take this commitment a step further as it formally assumes the Chairship of the Like-Minded Group of Middle-Income Countries (LMG-MICS) at the United Nations during the Conference, succeeding Morocco.
The DFA confirmed the participation of foreign ministers, vice ministers, and senior officials from our 18 partners in the LMG-MICS, and middle-income countries in the Asia Pacific region. END
