PH envoy outlines 2022 UN priorities
“… my President said that ‘the Philippines has limited resources during these extraordinary times…But what we can do for humanity and to uplift human dignity, we will,” Permanent Representative Enrique A. Manalo said during the informal plenary meeting held at the UNHQ on 19 January 2022 (Photo from New York PM)
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 02 February 2022 – Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo outlined the Philippines’ policy priorities at the United Nations for 2022 under the President of the General Assembly’s Five Rays of Hope. The Five Rays underscore the “promise” to deliver for people, for the planet, and prosperity.
Under a Presidency of Hope, President of the General Assembly Abdulla Shahid intends to lead Member States in overcoming the pandemic, achieve universal vaccination, protect the planet, recover sustainably, promote human rights, and revitalize the United Nations. Through hope, PGA Shahid stated, “we can lay the foundations for a better tomorrow and build on that vision.”
On recovering from COVID-19, Ambassador Manalo reiterated the Philippines’ call for vaccine equity and reaffirm the support of the Philippines to the World Health Organization (WHO), and its initiatives to end the pandemic.
On rebuilding sustainably, he reiterated the Philippines’ support for the 2022 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) where the country will present its third Voluntary National Review (VNRs) on SDG implementation and “will participate in all oceans-related conferences and meetings to “help ensure that 2022 will be a ‘super year’ for our Oceans.”
On responding to the needs of the planet, Ambassador Manalo reaffirmed the Philippines’ recalibrated development thrusts which focus on sustaining ecosystem services and mitigating biodiversity loss; improving environmental quality; and increasing the resilience of communities, individuals, and economic sectors, including the country’s ambitious climate commitments.
On respecting the rights of all, he said that the Philippines will continue work in advancing the rights of people in vulnerable situations including children, older persons, migrants, persons with disabilities, and indigenous peoples.
Finally, on revitalizing the United Nations, Ambassador Manalo stressed that the Philippines actively supports the revitalization process, the UN reform agenda, and reform of the UN Development System. He also expressed readiness to participate in the thematic debates on Our Common Agenda.
The Philippine Ambassador also mentioned specific priority issues for the Philippines, from commemorating the 40th anniversary of two landmark documents (UNCLOS, the constitution of the oceans, and the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes) and addressing the nexus between terrorism, organized crime, and illicit small arms trafficking through the 8th Biennial Meeting of States (BMS8); to the convening of the 10th Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, as well as increasing the Philippine footprint in UN peacekeeping.
“The Philippine priorities I just presented embody our contribution to help uplift human dignity,” Ambassador Manalo concluded. END
For more information, visit https://www.un.int/philippines/ and https://web.facebook.com/PHMissionNY