PH Leads Adoption of U.N. Resolution to Declare June 16 as Int’l Day of Family Remittances

Permanent Representative to the United Nations Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. delivers the sponsorship statement before the UN General Assembly on the resolution to declare June 16 as International Day on Family Remittances. (UN Photo Library photo)

NEW YORK 15 June 2018 – The Philippines led the United Nations General Assembly on 12 June 2018 in adopting by consensus a landmark resolution declaring June 16 as the International Day on Family Remittances.

In introducing the resolution, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. emphasized that the International Day on Family Remittances “provides the global community an opportunity to come together and recognize the efforts of millions of migrants that are using remittances to improve the lives of their families and to create a future for their children.”

The resolution invites all to observe and actively support the International Day to raise awareness of the impact of remittances. It recognizes the link between remittances and sustainable development, and acknowledge the fundamental contribution of migrant workers to the well-being of their families and communities of origin.

Speaking after the adoption, Ambassador Locsin said, “It is fitting that this resolution is adopted on the day that we celebrate our independence as this resolution is a tribute to the hard work and sacrifices of our overseas Filipino workers who are our modern day heroes.”

In 2017, a total of US$466 billion in remittances to developing countries were recorded, an increase of over 8.5 percent compared to 2016. In the Philippines, an estimated P205.2 billion in remittances were sent by OFWs from April to September 2017.

The Philippines worked with Algeria, Guatemala and Madagascar in campaigning for the resolution, which was co-sponsored by 42 other member-states of the UN. END

For more information, visit www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph / www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/.