Statement of Hon. Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Republic of the Philippines
XIXth Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement
19 January 2024
Kampala, Uganda
Mr. President,
On behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., I wish to congratulate Uganda for assuming the Chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement. The Philippines appreciates the excellent arrangements for this Summit.
We also thank Azerbaijan for their leadership of the Movement.
President Marcos Jr. during his address at the UN General Assembly called for global unity, in a world on the cusp of many changes and transformation.
For the Philippines, the international rules-based order is key to delivering global public goods such as peace, stability, empowerment and dignity of our peoples, and equitable sustainable development.
We must preserve these public goods as we navigate the challenges of the 21st century.
As a founding member of the United Nations, the Philippines has consistently worked with other nations to promote a more just world order and inclusive multilateralism.
Then, as now, times call for decisiveness, clarity and courage to rise to the challenges that confront humanity in this critical juncture of our journey as a global community.
We face wars and conflicts, human suffering from rising and protracted humanitarian catastrophes natural and man-made. We join NAM’s serious concern over the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and call for increased support and solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Geopolitical dynamics and rivalries further complicate our quest for consensus.
Now, as ever, the world needs our Movement to be a ballast for global politics - a credible and conscientious middle ground that balances humanity’s common ship amidst such difficulties.
Towards this end, NAM must revitalize itself across three fronts.
First, NAM must consolidate its core as a Movement of developing countries, by developing countries, and for developing countries.
We remain true to this common purpose when we promote and safeguard respect for the diversity of views among our members, and the integrity of our agreed processes.
We must not ignore concerns of our members, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. We need to apply NAM principles and rules consistently. Solidarity in truth calls on us to call out aggression, subversion, domination, and any violation of the rule of law, regardless of its perpetrator.
Secondly, NAM must consciously focus and take action on common global challenges. Climate change is an issue on which our Movement’s unified voice should be heard and also more heard in relevant fora.
Climate justice is a common cause of highest urgency. Developed nations must be held accountable to their commitments, and ensure equitable access to financing and science-based solutions for all.
The Philippines welcomes the decision at the COP28 on the Loss and Damage Fund and would like to sustain advocacy and engagement on this issue by hosting the Loss and Damage Fund Board. We will host the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Resilience this year in Manila.
We need to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and pursue inclusive global development including through fairer and more transparent multilateral economic governance institutions.
We must sustain the energy of regional organizations in driving the development agenda, and promote dynamic cooperation among them. In our region, ASEAN has been a driving force towards the attainment of a “resilient, innovative, dynamic, and integrated” economic community. This finds resonance with the African Union’s vision of an “integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena” by 2063.
We acknowledge the vitality of Africa’s role in global affairs and Uganda’s leadership of the NAM symbolizes this.
Third, NAM must reclaim its central role as champion of an open, inclusive, and rules-based international order governed by international law and informed by the principles of equity and of justice.
In 1982, the Philippines and non-aligned states shepherded the unanimous adoption of the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes. This brought forward an important principle in the United Nations Charter; namely, that aggression and use of force have no place in resolving disputes.
The Philippines will remain a vanguard of the Charter and international law.
Mr. President,
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao stands as a bastion of our values as a democracy, a pathfinder, and a peacemaker.
We bring these values as we aim for a non-permanent membership seat in the UN Security Council for the term 2027-2028. We look forward to the support of NAM Members for our candidature.
Mr. President,
NAM was also borne out of our struggle against colonialism and injustice.
Its principles remain a compass for achieving a more just, humane, peaceful, and equitable future for our peoples.
Our Movement has the potential to grow stronger if we maintain solidarity around our common purpose, our principles and a vision that honors our triumphs, our diversity and our shared humanity.
Thank you.