PH Calls on UNESCO to Address Situation in Ukraine in Fields of Education, Culture, Communication and Information
Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Junever Mahilum-West delivers the Philippine Statement at the UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France. (Photo by Christelle Alix/UNESCO)
PARIS 18 March 2022 – Philippine Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Junever M. Mahilum-West reiterated the Philippines’ condemnation of the ongoing invasion in Ukraine during the 7th Special Session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board today at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 15 March 2022.
“We deplore the actions that have brought harm to civilians, children, youth, teachers, education personnel and destroyed educational facilities aside from hospitals. The Philippines is particularly concerned that the military actions against Ukraine have affected millions of school-aged children and students in higher educational institutions, robbing them of their right to education. This puts further strain on Ukraine’s educational system already reeling from the effects of the global pandemic,” said Ambassador Mahilum-West.
The Ambassador also highlighted the need to protect journalists and media to ensure that civilians have access to an impartial media and life-saving information, for UNESCO Member States to maintain unity during these times, and enjoined the organization to address the situation in Ukraine across its fields of competence.
She, likewise, urged all parties to exert every effort to stick to diplomatic and peaceful means to maintain international peace and security and avert a humanitarian crisis by resorting to the principles embodied in 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes.
The Philippine is one of the 58 members of the UNESCO Executive Board and will serve until 2025. END