01 October 2014 - Calling attention to the need to de-escalate tensions and to peacefully settle disputes, the Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario stressed the importance of adherence to the rule of law as key to resolving conflicts facing the world today and to bringing lasting development throughout the world.
Speaking at the General Debate of the 69th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on September 29, Secretary Del Rosario warned that global development efforts were being “jeopardized by setbacks brought about by threats to peace, security and the rule of law” and called on all nations to “ensure that conflicts do not undermine any development agenda we pursue.”
The Secretary underscored efforts aimed at ensuring adherence to the rule of law as crucial, citing the inroads achieved by the Philippines in its own peace process as well as in international arbitration.
“With the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, we are optimistic that peace dividends in the form of investments, jobs, economic opportunities, access to basic services and infrastructure will redound to the benefit of our Muslim brothers and sisters in the Southern Philippines,” he said.
Secretary Del Rosario also stressed that faced with the “reality of exacerbating tensions in our regional seas,” the Philippines has “resorted to the rule of law in trying to resolve these tensions,” including through arbitration. Secretary Del Rosario described arbitration as an “open, friendly and durable solution to the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes” intended “to benefit all.”
Secretary Del Rosario enjoined UN Member States to “be united in addressing the challenge of resolving this issue in accordance with the rule of law.”
As he scored “unilateral activities” that form “part of a pattern of forcing a change in the maritime status quo in the South China Sea” Secretary Del Rosario also drew the world’s attention to the Philippines’ Triple Action Plan (TAP) to “keep the conflict from escalating and undermining regional peace, security and stability.”
Secretary Del Rosario described the TAP as a “positive, comprehensive and constructive framework, which brings together various initiatives that the Philippines and other countries have been advocating on the issue of the South China Sea for the past years.”
The Secretary likewise highlighted development challenges facing the world during his address to the General Assembly, saying that “when conflicts and insecurity endure, when disasters strike, when pandemics break out, when terrorism spreads, when Earth’s bounties are confronted with depletion, we face the real danger that our development agenda will fail.”
He cited the “series of disasters” that visited the Philippines as “the greatest challenge” in meeting the Millennium Development Goals. He said typhoon Haiyan and disasters in other parts of the world “remind us of the urgency in addressing climate change.”
While thanking the international community for the “outpouring of assistance for the victims and survivors of typhoon Haiyan,” he said that “the Philippines and its international partners are determined to see the completion of a massive rebuilding and rehabilitation plan for areas affected by typhoon Haiyan.”
“We are resolute in not only building back but building back better,” said Secretary Del Rosario.
He also underlined the need for reforms at the United Nations to “strengthen its ability to meet new demands and deliver its mandate in the most effective, transparent, accountable and efficient manner.”
Among the reforms he cited were “a better selection process for the Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly, the executive heads of the UN, an increase in the membership of the Security Council, a review of the use of the veto power in the Security Council, increased budget for peacekeeping missions as well as ways to make the full use of partnership across the range of UN activities.”
Secretary Del Rosario also pointed out that “if we were to elect a woman to be the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, this would be a powerful signal on gender equality and empowerment.” “It is our responsibility, as member states of the United Nations, to exert every effort and to expend every resource at our command, to make the United Nations the instrument for promoting peace, progress and development,” he said. END