The Philippines has expressed its support for calls to increase the deployment of women peacekeepers among the United Nations (UN) member states.
Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, permanent representative of the Philippines to the UN, conveyed this as he outlined the country's priorities for the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization Committee) at the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly held on Oct. 22.
“We support calls for increasing the participation of women in uniformed roles, and to integrating gender perspectives in all aspects of peacekeeping,” Manalo stated as he reiterated the Philippine policy on increasing deployment of women peacekeepers at all levels and in leadership positions under the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Undersecretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix argued that “while we have seen some progress in the Women, Peace and Security agenda, from Mali to South Sudan and Kosovo over recent years, yet, too often, women still remain on the margins of peace and political processes."
"We must build on the gains that were made and we must translate women’s participation at the grassroots level into formal decision making,” Lacroix said.
Aside from the “comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects,” during the committee’s joint general debate, Manalo also conveyed the Philippines’ position on key agenda items on the international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, comprehensive review of special political missions, and the question relating to information.
On outer space, the ambassador explained that the Philippines recently signed an agreement with the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to collaborate on various strategic areas related to space science, technology, policy, law, education, and capacity building.”
On the agenda item on information, the Filipino diplomat stressed that “member states and observers should continue to responsibly harness the power of information to promote peace, inclusivity and development.”
He also expressed the view that Special Political Missions should continue to serve as “forward platforms for conflict prevention.”
The Fourth Committee considers a broad range of issues covering a cluster of five decolonization-related agenda items, the effects of atomic radiation, questions relating to information, a comprehensive review of the question of peacekeeping operations as well as a review of special political missions, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East, the Report of the Special Committee on Israeli Practices and international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
In addition to these annual items, the committee also considers the items on assistance in mine action, and University for Peace biennially and triennially, respectively.