Statement of Honorable Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs on his Visit to New York for the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

15 September 2023 – I will lead the Philippine delegation to the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) High-Level Week (HLW) from 18 to 26 September 2023 at the UN Headquarters in New York City, U.S.A.

The participation of three Cabinet members in the national delegation underlines the high significance that the Philippines attaches to its role as a responsible and engaged global citizen fully supporting the UN Charter and convinced of the enduring power of diplomacy, dialogue and multilateralism to promote the peaceful flourishing of nations.

I will be joined by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, led by Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga; Department of Health, led by Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa; the National Economic Development Authority, led by Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon; and the Department of Finance. The Philippine delegation also includes Special Envoy of the President to UNICEF, Ms. Monica Louise Prieto-Teodoro and local executives from the League of Cities of the Philippines.

With the theme “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all”, the High-Level Week is a platform for the global community to deliberate on and commit to addressing pressing international issues such as climate change, health, global security and the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs) including through the regional and local levels.

On behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, I will deliver the Philippine National Statement during the UNGA General Debate.   Guided by the President's national development and foreign policy agenda, I will articulate the Philippines’ advocacies for respect for the rule of law and ambitious climate action, as well as our achievements and aspirations as a middle-income economy with an important voice in global affairs.

The Philippine delegation looks forward to a busy and productive week in New York, which will include important and simultaneous meetings such as the SDG Summit, Climate Ambition Summit and the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development.  Other major events include the Preparatory Ministerial Meeting of the Summit of the Future, which aims to map the elements of a post-2030 global development and peace and security agenda.  There will also be many high-level climate-, health-, finance-, development-related meetings and side-events.

As a testament to our leadership at the United Nations, the Philippines is organizing important side events. One is a Ministerial Roundtable on Migration, Environment and Climate Change in the Asia Pacific Region on 21 September. Another is a High-Level Event Promoting the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty, co-hosted with Japan and Australia on 19 September. We are also co-hosting with Indonesia and Laos a side event on “Skilling, Upskilling, and Reskilling for a Resilient Workforce” on 17 September during the SDG Weekend.

I will also sign the new Agreement under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of The Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) or “High Seas Treaty” on 20 September. 

I look forward to bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from a number of countries and with key UN officials. I will sign a number of MoUs establishing political consultation mechanisms with a number of bilateral partners, and discuss a broad range of matters of mutual interest at these meetings. 

I also look forward to an enriching discussion on Philippine foreign policy with friends in the Asia Society. END