PH Presides Historic Meeting on Resolution to Recognize the Human Right to a Healthy, Clean and Sustainable Environment
Ambassador and Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York presides over the 97th plenary session of the UN General Assembly, which adopted the resolution that recognizes that clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a universal right (Photo from NYPM, Credit: UN-DGC)
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 01 August 2022 — The Philippines presided over a historic meeting of the United Nations General Assembly where the body adopted a resolution that recognizes access to a healthy, clean and sustainable environment as a universal human right. The Philippines, in its capacity as one of the vice presidents of the UN General Assembly, was represented by Ambassador and Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York, at the Assembly’s 97th plenary session held on 28 July 2022 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York..
The landmark resolution was co-sponsored by over 100 countries, including the Philippines in its national capacity. Introduced by Costa Rica, Maldives, Morocco, Slovenia and Switzerland, the resolution was adopted by the General Assembly with 161 votes in favor and eight abstentions.
The resolution, among others, calls upon States, international organizations, business enterprises and other relevant stakeholders to adopt policies, to enhance international cooperation, strengthen capacity building, and continue to share good practices in order to scale up efforts to ensure a clean, healthy and sustainable environment for all.
As an advocate of the important link between human rights and climate change, the Philippines supported the resolution. The Philippine Constitution mandates the State “to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”
The Philippines, working with Bangladesh and Viet Nam, has also led the annual resolution on climate change and human rights in the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
In a statement, UN Secretary General António Guterres welcomed the adoption of the resolution and said that this development demonstrates that Member States can come together in the collective fight against the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Secretary General Guterres said that “the resolution will help reduce environmental injustices, close protection gaps and empower people, especially those that are in vulnerable situations, including environmental human rights defenders, children, youth, women and indigenous peoples.”
For more information, visit https://www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/. END.