PH Promotes Comprehensive Approach in Addressing Issues Faced by Middle-Income Countries
National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon calls for a comprehensive approach in addressing key challenges faced by the middle-income countries (MICs) such as the Philippines during the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Like-Minded Group of Countries Supporters of Middle-Income Countries held at the UN headquarters in New York on 26 September 2018. (New York PM photo)
NEW YORK 15 October 2018 — The Philippines highlighted the need to consider country differences in terms of income, economic growth drivers, social and governance structures, geopolitical conditions, and level of urbanization, in addressing the issues faced by middle-income countries (MICs) during the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Like-Minded Group of Countries Supporters of Middle-Income Countries held at the UN Headquarters in New York on 26 September 2018.
“I would say that the MICs are facing three major challenges: Industry 4.0, climate change, and the weak global demand,” National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Dr. Rosemarie G. Edillon said.
On Industry 4.0, she elaborated that the fourth industrial revolution presents opportunities to accelerate economic growth. There is however a need to ensure broad-based participation in this growth process, the need to improve human capital, especially of the poor, and aggressively address the digital divide. There is a need to ensure access to technology by all.
“In the Philippines, we are pursuing governance reforms in order to expand our digital infrastructure. And very soon, we will be rolling out a national ID system. Its implementation will conform to the parameters set by the recently enacted law that ensures data privacy and data security. This is a massive undertaking with the intent of providing a platform where every Filipino can have a digital footprint. But we will require technical assistance to move this forward,” Undersecretary Edillon shared during the meeting.
On climate change, she reiterated the call to adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Undersecretary Edillon explained that the weak global demand, partly resulting from the protectionist stance of some of the developed economies, poses a challenge to MICs.
MICs can avoid the middle-income trap by achieving higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added sectors.
On the weak global demand, she said that given the less favorable global economy, governments need to stimulate growth from domestic sources, and some of these measures include structural reform, providing better access to finance and technology, and better infrastructure to increase logistics efficiency.
Undersecretary Edillon reiterated the call of measuring poverty and development in multiple dimensions as embodied in the multi-dimensional poverty index (MPI).
“The MPI holds promise as an additional metric, this time indicating multiple deprivation. But this is still incomplete. Based on our survey on what really matters for Filipinos, income figures only indirectly in all these aspirations. Rather, Filipinos aspire to enjoy strongly-rooted relationships, live a comfortable lifestyle and feel secure about the future,” she stated.
The Third Ministerial Declaration was also adopted during the event, outlining the Group’s priorities in crucial topics, including the advancements in the development criteria, systemic consideration of multidimensional poverty, development and climate change, financial challenges and joint political initiatives.
The event was organized by the Permanent of Costa Rica to the United Nations, as chair of the Like-Minded Group. Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica Epsy Campbell Barr opened the meeting.
The Philippines is a founding member of the Like-Minded Group together with Armenia, Belarus, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, and Panama. The Like-Minded Group aims to advance the establishment of a comprehensive UN-wide system and long-term strategy to facilitate sustainable development cooperation and coordinated supports towards MICs.
The UN General Assembly will hold a High-Level Meeting on MICs on 04 December 2018. END
For more information, visit www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph/ www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/