Statement of Honorable Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs on his visit to New York for the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

22 – 29 September 2024

I will lead the Philippine delegation to the Summit of the Future, the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) High-Level Week (HLW), and Other related Meetings from 22 to 29 September 2024 at the UN Headquarters in New York City, U.S.A.

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; the Department of Budget and Management, led by Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman; the Department of Health, led by Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire; the National Economic Development Authority, led by Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo Abad Santos; and, the Climate Change Commission, led by Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera.

Prior to the High-Level Week, I will participate in the Summit of the Future, a high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how to deliver a better world for present and future generations. The Summit, under the theme "Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow," aims to strengthen global cooperation in addressing the most pressing challenges of our time.

During the Summit, we eagerly anticipate the adoption of the Pact for the Future as a pivotal step towards revitalizing multilateralism and steering global cooperation towards a shared vision of peace, security, and sustainable development.

The Philippines is committed to strengthening the United Nations' role in addressing today’s complex crises, such as conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, climate change, economic inequality, and emerging threats in digital, geopolitical, space, and maritime domains.

As we have demonstrated throughout our 79 years of membership in the UN, the Philippines stands ready to contribute to a more resilient, inclusive, and equitable world for present and future generations.

Following the Summit of the Future is the High Level Week, which has the theme “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations.” It 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 national endeavors.

The Philippines is a steadfast champion of multilateralism, recognizing it as the most potent instrument for addressing global challenges. Since 1945, we have aligned ourselves with the community of nations, upholding multilateral cooperation as the key to preserving peace and security.

I will deliver the Philippine National Statement during the UNGA General Debate and present the Philippines’ advocacies and priorities in line with the agenda of the UN General Assembly’s 79th Session.

The entire Philippine delegation has a busy calendar in New York, which will include many high-level climate-, health- , finance-, disarmament-, security-, environment-, development-related meetings and side-events.

The Philippines is co-organizing and co-hosting important side events such as the launching of the Friends of the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) towards significant practical contributions to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation efforts, a High-Level Panel promoting High Ambition for the High Seas: Accelerating Political Momentum for Ratification and Implementation of the High Seas Treaty, and a High-Level Panel Discussion on Accountability for Environmental Violations and Crimes.

I look forward to bilateral meetings with senior leaders and foreign ministers from a number of countries, the President of the UN General Assembly, Ambassador and former Prime Minister of Cameroon Philémon Yang, and UN Secretary General António Guterres.

An important mission for me as Secretary while attending this year’s High-level week is to campaign for the Philippines’ bid to a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the term 2027-2028.  The Philippines is making positive headway in its campaign for the UNSC, secure in our proven track record of being a dependable partner, pathfinder and peacemaker in world affairs, with eight decades of multilateral diplomacy experience as a founding member of the UN and having previously sat in the UNSC four times. END