PH Reaffirms Commitment to Mediation During UN Security Council Open Debate, Shares Key Developments on Peace Process
The Manila Declaration for the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes “is eponymous with the Philippine desire for peace,” Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. said at the United Nations Security Council open debate in New York on 29 August 2018. (New York PM photo)
NEW YORK CITY 06 September 2018 – Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to mediation as a viable means towards the pacific settlement of disputes at the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) open debate on 29 August 2018.
The activity was convened by the Permanent Mission of United Kingdom in its capacity as President of the SUNSC for August, and chaired by UK’s Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the United Nations Lord Tariq Mahmood Ahmad of Wimbledon.
In his statement, Ambassador Locsin stressed that the Manila Declaration for the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes “is eponymous with the Philippine desire for peace and, emphatically, its abhorrence of settlement by the use or threat of force.”
Ambassador Locsin said that “when used in key phases of conflict,” as the Philippine experience demonstrates, “mediation is a game-changer, especially in indecisive conflicts.”
The Ambassador shared with the UN community the positive news of the signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
“After 18 years of sustained engagement in a peace process, the Philippine Government has enacted the Bangsamoro Organic Law creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. Signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, it recognizes the aspirations of those living in Muslim Mindanao—not just Muslim but Christian and indigenous—within the framework of one indivisible democratic republic and one Bill of Rights,” Ambassador Locsin explained.
He also conveyed the recent announcement of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process on the Philippine Government’s negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines.
“The doors for peace negotiations with the communist rebels are still open,” the Ambassador said. He thanked Norway for its hospitality and perseverance, and expressed hope for its continued engagement in the peace process.
Over 70 member and observer states delivered their respective interventions during the UNSC open debate.
The Philippines continues to co-sponsor the UN General Assembly resolution promoting and supporting funding for mediation, and has contributed mediation experts on constitution-writing, power-sharing, and gender equality.
The aim of the open debate was to provide member states with the opportunity to consider the UN’s role in both leading and supporting inclusive mediation efforts, how it can be strengthened, and how the Security Council and member states can best support these efforts.
The UNSC last considered mediation and the peaceful resolution of conflicts in an open debate on 21 April 2009. The UN has taken a number of steps to strengthen its mediation capabilities, including the establishment of the Mediation Support Unit in 2007 and the Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisers in 2008.
The 2017 UN Secretary-General’s report on its activities in support of mediation highlights the growing complexity and internationalization of conflicts, the acceleration in the speed and spread of information, and the increasing fragility of peace agreements.
Before the debate, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that “successful mediation and the peaceful settlement of disputes requires a deep understanding of leaders and their constituencies—and strong political will.”
Secretary-General Guterres urged member states to continue and strengthen efforts to move beyond negotiations with political and military elites.
“That means working at the subnational and local levels to help build peace from the ground up. Local authorities, civil society, traditional and religious leaders all have critical roles to play,” the Secretary-General added. END
For more information, visit www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph / www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/.