The Philippines has fallen into a recession due to the coronavirus pandemic but will continue to strive to meet the United Nations’ (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs), President Duterte declared Wednesday.

In a pre-recorded message to the UN General Assembly, the President acknowledged that the country's economic advances have been derailed by the pandemic.

"With the poverty rate reduced at 16.6 percent; and a sustained economic growth rate of 6.4 percent between 2010 and 2019, the Philippines was on track to becoming an upper-middle income country by the end of 2020. But the pandemic has placed our economy in recession," he said.
 
"Despite this downward pressure on growth, the Philippines remains committed to the Sustainable Development Goals," he said, referring to the UN’s aspirational program for member-states that aim to transform the world by 2030.

With the unprecedented coronavirus crisis affecting economies, Duterte also said the country also welcomes the launch of the UN COVID response and recovery fund. "The Philippines values the role that the United Nations plays in its fight against the pandemic," he said.

In 2015, the United Nations member-states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and promote peace and prosperity for all people.

The sustainable development goals (SDG) also include eliminating poverty and hunger, ensuring healthy lives, quality education for all, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy,  decent work and economic growth, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action,  protection of the environment, peace and justice and strong institutions and global partnership to boost development.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles earlier said the the government will launch its "National Food Policy" in time for the observance of World Food Day on October 16. The policy will include initiatives for ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture.

"COVID or no COVID, we are committed to these promises and reach these goals,” he said.