Philippines Reaffirms Support for Efforts to Revitalize the UN General Assembly

Ambassador and Permanent Representative Antonio M. Lagdameo delivers PH statement at the General Assembly debate on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York on 10 November 2023. (Photo credit: UN webtv)

NEW YORK 15 November 2023 – Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Antonio M. Lagdameo reaffirmed Philippine support in enhancing the effectiveness, transparency and inclusiveness of the General Assembly as the chief deliberative, policy making, and most representative organ of the United Nations.

Speaking before the General Assembly on 10 November 2023 at the UN Headquarters in New York, Ambassador Lagdameo emphasized that the revitalization of the General Assembly should aim to transform multilateralism through concerted, ambitious, innovative and action-oriented efforts.

“The General Assembly is the only universal organ of the UN System with a universal mandate. It should exercise its functions in a manner which enables it to take the lead on global issues, and support other principal organs where necessary as envisioned in the UN Charter,” Ambassador Lagdameo stressed.

Ambassador Lagdameo said that the Philippines is mindful of the broader ongoing revitalization and alignment processes in other main committees of the General Assembly and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

He noted the interlinkages that exist between this process and other ongoing processes, such as the review of ECOSOC and High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), and the alignment of the agendas of the General Assembly, ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies.

“We anticipate further productive discussions to revitalize the Committee's work, aiming to efficiently advance the full realization of the 2030 Agenda within the framework of the General Assembly,” the Ambassador added.

He also expressed support in strengthening the relationship between the General Assembly’s Sixth Committee and the International Law Commission (ILC), as a subsidiary expert body of the General Assembly, given their important mandates on codification and progressive development of international law, which advances the rule of law. More frequency and structured interaction, facilitated by the provision of adequate resources for ILC members, could be of value, he added.

The revitalization process of the General Assembly covers four clusters, including the role and authority of the General Assembly, working methods, selection and appointment of the UN Secretary-General and other executive heads, and strengthening the accountability, transparency, and institutional memory of the Office of the President of the General Assembly. END

For more information, visit https://www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/.