Philippines Secures Seats in Governing Councils of Three UNESCAP Regional Institutions at 81st ESCAP Session 

Elections to the Governing Councils during the 81st ESCAP Session in Bangkok, Thailand on 21 to 25 April 2025. (Bangkok PE photo)

BANGKOK 02 May 2025 — The Philippines has been successfully elected to the Governing Councils of three United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) regional institutions, the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP), the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM), and the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (APCICT), following elections held during the 81st ESCAP Session in Bangkok, Thailand on 21 to 25 April 2025. 

The election of the Philippines to these three institutions reflects a strong endorsement from the international community regarding the Philippines' ability to contribute meaningfully to advancing sustainable development in the region.

The Philippines' seat in the CSAM governing council will support the country’s goal of enhancing food security. CSAM promotes research, technology transfer, and technical cooperation to support agricultural mechanization in line with the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development.

As a governing council member of SIAP, the Philippines will help guide the institute’s work in strengthening data and evidence-based policymaking across the region. SIAP supports the statistical capacities of governments, which are critical to the monitoring and implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Joining the APCICT governing council demonstrates the Philippines’ commitment to harnessing the transformative power of digital technologies for inclusive socio-economic growth. APCICT builds the digital capacities of the Philippines and other ESCAP members through training and knowledge sharing, supporting countries’ efforts to leverage ICT for national and regional development.

The Philippines’ participation in these governing councils allows the Philippines to align regional initiatives with national priorities, ensuring these multilateral programs effectively address the needs of the Philippines.

Furthermore, the Philippines' successful election to these regional bodies highlights its ongoing leadership role in the Asia-Pacific region. The Philippines looks forward to working with other ESCAP member states to strengthen regional cooperation for an inclusive and sustainable future. END

For more information, visit https://www.bangkokpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinThailand/.