Philippines Advocates Bridging Divides in International Security and Disarmament in 78th UN First Committee Session
Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative Ariel R. Peñaranda delivers the national statement at the General Debate of the First Committee of the General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. 2 October 2023. (Photo credit: New York PM)
NEW YORK 15 November 2023 – In the 78th United Nations First Committee session, the Philippines played a pivotal role as a bridge builder. Advocating a middle-ground approach, the country fostered balanced dialogue, emphasizing the critical areas of international security and disarmament.
Engaging proactively in disarmament, non-proliferation, and arms control processes, the Philippines addressed the multifaceted challenges posed by autonomous weapons systems. These challenges span humanitarian, legal, security, technological, and ethical dimensions, central to global security discourse.
Ambassador Ariel R. Peñaranda, the Philippine Chargé d’affaires, a.i., to the United Nations in New York, remarked, "As technology advances, we must ensure our global governance regime remains adaptable. Thus, we call for legal rules to prevent the weaponization of artificial intelligence and advocate for the responsible use of emerging technologies."
The adoption of a resolution, which garnered overwhelming support from 168 Member States, underscores the Philippines' commitment to addressing the complex issues posed by lethal autonomous weapons and upholding international law. This resolution revitalizes multilateral efforts toward these goals.
During the session, the First Committee approved 60 draft resolutions and one decision, with the Philippines co-sponsoring 25. These resolutions ranged from advocating a world free of nuclear weapons to preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. They also covered global norms surrounding deadly weapons like cluster munitions and disarmament's intersection with development and environmental concerns, emphasizing multilateralism in disarmament and the pivotal role of youth in these discussions.
Amidst growing global tensions and the proliferation of resolutions, especially in outer space and cybersecurity domains, the Philippines urged Member States to avoid further discord. The First Committee should serve as a platform for collective action in addressing disarmament and peace and security issues promptly. The Philippines reiterated its commitment to a middle-ground approach that garners broad support from delegations.
While outer space and cyberspace present evolving challenges, the enduring issues of nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, and conventional arms require continued attention. The Philippines has called on Nuclear Weapons States for accountability in disarmament obligations and the implementation of a moratorium on fissile material production pending the start of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament (CD). It also called for maintaining a moratorium on nuclear-weapon test explosions and any other nuclear explosions, and for the remaining Annex 2 States to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, among other measures.
As an emerging space-faring nation, the Philippines underscored that outer space security is not just about strategic parity among major spacefaring nations but also about preserving outer space for peaceful uses by all nations and future generations. The country emphasized the importance of increasing transparency and cultivating responsible norms to safeguard outer space, highlighting this as an important task of the First Committee.
To enhance the effectiveness of disarmament machinery, the Philippines led a coalition of 28 States in calling on the CD to grant observer status to all interested UN Member States without obstructions, recognizing the vital roles all States play in maintaining and strengthening international security. This call came after 39 States, including the Philippines, were entirely prevented from participating in this year's CD session.
To enhance the effectiveness of disarmament machinery, the Philippines led a coalition of 28 States, calling on the CD to grant observer status to all interested UN Member States without obstructions. This acknowledges the vital roles all States play in maintaining and strengthening international security. This call came after 39 States, including the Philippines, were barred from participating in this year's CD session.
In his closing remarks Ambassador Rytis Paulauskas of Lithuania and Chair of the First Committee, said that agreements and treaties are a significant bedrock “on which our security is built,” and every effort must be made to preserve them and other bedrocks of disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control.
The First Committee is mandated to discuss disarmament, global challenges and threats to peace that affect the international community, and seeks out solutions to the challenges in the international security regime. In this regard, the Philippines, as bridge-builder remains steadfast in its mission to contribute to seeking solutions and promoting a balanced, middle-ground approach in the international security landscape. END
Third Secretary Diane Shayne Lipana delivers national statement on the thematic debate on weapons of mass destruction. 17 October 2023. (Photo credit: New York PM)
Director Jan Michael Gomez delivers national statement on the thematic debate on disarmament machinery. 26 October 2023. (Photo credit: New York PM)
Third Secretary Christian Hope Reyes delivers national statement on the thematic debate on conventional weapons. 23 October 2023. (Photo credit: New York PM)
For more information, visit https://www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/.