30 April 2015 - Ambassador Lourdes O. Yparraguirre, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations (UN), called on UN 69th General Assembly President Sam Kutesa on April 28 to exchange views on Philippine interests and priorities in the UN, as well as on a broad range of pressing international issues.
The two discussed issues of mutual interest including climate change, the post-2015 development agenda, financing for development, as well as revitalization of the General Assembly and the Security Council.
They also talked about the prospects of having a female UN Secretary-General, one that the Philippines has strongly supported and called for in various UN fora.
Mr. Kutesa also expressed hope that the Philippines will participate at the Finance Ministers level in the upcoming Third International Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on July 13 to 16.
Mr. Kutesa was elected President of the United Nations General Assembly on June 11, 2014. He previously served as Uganda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2005. His other priority areas for the session include advancing gender equality and empowerment of women, strengthening cooperation between the UN and regional organizations, peaceful settlement of disputes and peacebuilding, and enhancing the role of the UN Alliance of Civilizations. END