Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Enrique Manalo expressed the country’s recommitment to the United Nations (UN) Charter, emphasizing the importance of the rule of law and multilateralism, during his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio to discuss areas of cooperation between the Philippines and the United Nations. (DFA Photo)
Manalo and Guterres met on Friday, June 13, at the UN headquarters in New York to discuss the Philippines’ priorities and areas of cooperation with the international body.
Manalo is the incoming permanent representative to the UN in New York, replacing current Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo by August this year. He previously held the position during the past administration.
“Secretary Manalo reassured UNSG Guterres that the Philippines, as a founding member of the UN, is deeply committed to the UN Charter and the work of the UN. He emphasized the importance of multilateralism, international law, and the rules-based international order,” a statement from the DFA read.
In turn, Guterres “expressed appreciation for the credible, valuable and positive contributions of the Philippines and confirmed the excellence of PH-UN relations.”
He also thanked the Philippines for being “a solid partner” of the UN in various areas, such as peace and security, development, human rights, and the environment.
The two officials also discussed the issue of climate change and its impact on the Philippines as a country that’s highly vulnerable to the impact of climate change.
“They looked forward to having innovative solutions to the shortfalls in financing climate adaptation and the loss and damage fund,” the DFA said.
The Philippines had been selected as the first host country of the board for the Loss and Damage Fund, which is mandated to assist developing countries in responding to economic and non-economic loss and damage associated with the effects of climate change.
These effects include extreme weather events and slow onset events.
“They agreed that financing and investments are needed in the Philippines to address its climate vulnerability,” the DFA added.
Aside from the Philippines’ climate vulnerability and financing efforts to address these issues, Manalo and Guterres also tackled financing for development, peacekeeping, and the UN Security Council, wherein the Philippines is running for a non-permanent seat.
In concluding their meeting, the UN official conveyed his regards to President Marcos and wished the Philippines a Happy Independence Day.
Lagdameo and other officers of the Philippine Mission to the UN accompanied the DFA chief.