Philippines Elected to the United Nations Committee on Conferences for 2024-2026

The Philippines, represented by Ambassador and Permanent Representative Antonio M. Lagdameo, gets elected to the UN Committee on Conference for 2024-2026  (Photo Credit: New York PM)

NEW YORK 28 November 2023 – The Philippines was elected by acclamation as a member of the United Nations Committee on Conferences (CoC) for the term 2024 – 2026.

According to Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, the election of the Philippines to the CoC reinforces the Philippines' commitment to multilateralism. It shows the country's support for the UN as a forum for addressing global issues, fostering peace, and promoting sustainable development.

Ambassador Lagdameo said in his statement that Philippine participation in the CoC can enhance the expertise of Filipino diplomats and officials in international conference management and diplomacy, benefiting the country's foreign service and providing them with more opportunities to engage diplomatically with other countries.

Representing the Asia-Pacific Group in the Committee, the Philippines last held membership in the CoC in 2014. Its renewed membership will provide the country with an opportunity to participate in discussions about administrative developments, innovations, and challenges related to conference management. These discussions often arise from issues that the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM) highlights in the Committee, through the annual report of the Secretary-General on the pattern of United Nations conferences. Specifically, the topics include the organization's conference and meeting calendar; utilization of conference-servicing resources and facilities in New York, Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi, including statistical data on the provision of conference services; and the potential for harnessing information technology within the United Nations, among other subjects.

As a member, the Philippines will attend both the organizational and substantive sessions of the Committee, which are held for approximately five days during the first week of September every year. Throughout the year, the CoC members review intersessional departures from the approved calendar of conferences and meetings. This includes extensions or additions of certain major UN meetings. END

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