Philippines Presses for Transparency, Accountability, and Support for Middle-Income Countries at 53rd UNIDO Industrial Development Board 

Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evangelina A. Bernas delivering the Philippine Statements during the 52nd Session of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) Industrial Development Board, 30 June - 3 July 2025 

VIENNA 12 August 2025 — The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and sustainable industrial development while calling for stronger oversight mechanisms and targeted support for middle-income countries (MICs) during the 53rd Session of the Industrial Development Board (IDB) of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on 30 June to 3 July 2025. 

Delivering the Philippine national statements, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evangelina Lourdes A. Bernas noted the achievements of UNIDO in its technical cooperation delivery, but emphasized the importance of upholding transparency and accountability at all times as UNIDO exercises its mandate and implements the audit recommendations of oversight bodies such as the Office of the Evaluation and Internal Oversight (EIO), the Independent Oversight Advisory Committee (OAC) and the External Auditor. 

Among the audit findings, Ambassador Bernas highlighted the lack of equitable geographic representation in staffing, the proliferation of hired consultants, and incomplete implementation of Host Country Agreements, including the one for the Philippines. She also echoed OAC’s concerns regarding low staff morale and stressed the need to ensure that “voicing concerns–including allegations of misconduct and impropriety–are encouraged and investigated objectively and independently.” 

Ambassador Bernas also highlighted the Philippines’ leadership in advancing the MIC agenda in light of its chairmanship of the Like-Minded Group of MICs and the adoption of the Makati Declaration by the recently concluded High-Level Conference on MICs in Manila last April. The Makati Declaration outlines the elements of a future global Strategic Programme of Action for MICs, which UNIDO is benchmarking in the current review and update of its strategic framework for partnering with MICs. Along this line, Ambassador Bernas thanked UNIDO for co-organizing the high-level conference with the Philippines, and for providing updates on UNIDO’s implementation of the said strategic framework. 

Ambassador Bernas recounted the legacy of a strong and trusted institution in UNIDO left by its first Director General, Domingo L. Siazon, and looked forward to stronger and more meaningful collaboration with UNIDO, together with the Member States as stewards of the Organization. END

For more information, visit https://www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.at or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAustria, or https://www.instagram.com/phinaustria/.