Forward-looking partnership with the UN

Every 24th of October, the world celebrates United Nations (UN) Day.

As a founding member, the Philippines has always stood for the purposes and principles of the UN. At the UN General Assembly last month, I reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism with the UN Charter as its center.

Conflicts such as in Ukraine, Sudan, Israel, and Gaza remind us of the continuing need for the UN to take decisive action to address challenges to international peace and security.

At the same time, the UN plays an important role in promoting development globally.

Over the past weeks, officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the National Economic Development Authority, and the UN Country Team have worked to flesh out new directions of the long-established partnership between the Philippines and the UN development system, represented in the country by 17 UN agencies, funds, and programs. The goal was clear to both sides: to orient this partnership to support our country’s economic transformation, resilience, and sustainability.

Tomorrow, President Marcos will witness the signing between the Philippine Government and the UN of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2024-2028.

As the compass to guide the work of the UN on the ground for the period coinciding with the rest of the term of Mr. Marcos, the UNSDCF is well-rooted in our national development priorities embodied in the Philippine Development Plan, Ambisyon Natin, and the President’s eight-point socioeconomic agenda.

Building on the dynamism of the Philippine economy, it refocuses UN support to advance the national agenda for innovation-driven, climate-smart, resilient, and inclusive economic growth.

The framework brings to the fore best practices that have enabled UN programs to achieve meaningful impact on the lives of Filipino communities, and also, reforms in the UN development system aimed at shoring up national ownership, synergy, and coordination of UN programs.

All UN entities in the country must adhere to the UNSDCF, align their programs, and work with its strategic priorities. This way, we can be better partners for the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in making such partnership matter more in the lives of the Filipino people.

The government and the UN have agreed to work on three overarching strategic outcomes:

Increased resilience to economic, climatic, disaster, and public health risks through improved, equitable, and gender-responsive access to and utilization of quality social services, social protection, healthy habitat, enhanced good governance, and peace.

A more integrated, innovative, inclusive, and sustainable economy that generates decent work and livelihood opportunities.

Just transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient development, sustainable management of the environment, natural resources, and biodiversity, and strengthened resilience to disasters and natural hazards.

The pursuit of these outcomes requires close collaboration. In the spirit of transparency and accountability that animates UN reforms, projects and activities will be formulated in close coordination with the government and stakeholders, leverage Philippine expertise and best practices, and subject to joint review and monitoring. The UNSDCF is also outward-looking. It will promote the Philippines’ expertise where they are useful in achieving the SDGs elsewhere in the world, through UN facilities for South-South cooperation. It recognizes the Philippines as an advocate of the rule of international law, peaceful settlement of disputes, human rights of women, children, migrants, and vulnerable groups, and the interests of middle-income countries.

All these point to an evolution and maturity in our relations with the UN. For some time now, the Philippines has become far more than a recipient of UN assistance. The UN experience in the Philippines has provided successful templates for cooperation in the UN system. As a middle-income country, we have been supporting UN institutions through provisions to the local operations of UNDP and other agencies, as well as through our steadily increasing voluntary contributions to dozens of UN programs, agencies, and humanitarian funds.

The presence of Mr. Marcos in the signing of this framework signifies the Philippines’ highest commitment to the UN.

The President has unequivocally declared the intention of the Philippines to continue to fulfill its share as a responsible global actor and as a champion of constructive, inclusive, and effective multilateralism, including with our candidature for a seat on the UN Security Council for the term 2027-2028.

Thus, on this occasion of UN Day, we celebrate not only the foundation of the UN but also our “new generation” and forward-looking partnership for a better future for all Filipinos in a safer and more prosperous world.

Enrique A. Manalo is the secretary of foreign affairs.