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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH renews push for gender equality, multilateral action at UNGA

PH renews push for gender equality, multilateral action at UNGA

Published Sep 23, 2025 12:26 pm
DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro joins global leaders in commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 4th World Conference on Women during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. (Photo from Sec. Lazaro via X post)
DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro joins global leaders in commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 4th World Conference on Women during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. (Photo from Sec. Lazaro via X post)
The Philippines has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting and strengthening migration, gender equality, and multilateralism during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro highlighted the steps the Philippines have taken for these causes.

In her opening segment remarks during the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) high-level event on Monday, Sept. 22, Lazaro expressed the Philippines’ support for the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), which promotes safe migration and the protection of migrants’ rights.

However, she also pointed out the challenges—division and xenophobia—faced by migration, and how countries must rise against them.

“Solidarity is critical. Migration is being challenged by divisive, exclusionary and outright xenophobic tendencies. These not only harm migrants and their families but also restrict the gains of migration for countries of origin and destination,” Lazaro said.

The DFA chief represented President Marcos—who chose to in the country amid the massive corruption scandal in the government’s infrastructure projects—in the UNGA.

“As GCM Champions and partners for progress, we have compelling stories to tell: to quell hate and intolerance where they arise, to highlight the human dimension of migration and recognize how migration has historically enriched our societies. In this endeavor, you can always count on the Philippines’ commitment,” she added.

“There is much left to be done, but also many opportunities for us to harness our collective voices and actions to protect migrants and enjoy the benefits they bring to development.”

Lazaro, who called Filipinos “global citizens,” said that the Philippines tackled migration through a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society commitment.”

“With decades of experience to share, the Philippines is privileged to contribute positively to shaping global migration governance – true to the spirit of being a GCM Champion,” she said, adding that the country established the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the adoption of the Human Rights Council resolution on “Promoting and protecting the enjoyment of human rights by seafarers” in July 2024.

She also took pride in the recent hosting by the Philippines of the first International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety, and Well-being that issued the Manila Declaration.

Gender equality

Meanwhile, in delivering the country statement on the UNGA High-Level Meeting to celebrate the “30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women,” Lazaro also expressed commitment to building on the country’s current “meaningful advancements” in women empowerment.

“Carrying this legacy forward, we reaffirm today our enduring commitment to the UN and to multilateralism,” the DFA chief said. “You can count on the Philippines as a champion for advancing gender equality as a driving force for peace, justice, and sustainable development.”

She stated this after she explained how the Philippines pioneered women-led approaches to sustainable peace and security, digital technology, and the national care economy framework.

Lazaro also reflected on the Philippines’ “pivotal role” in the Fourth World Conference on Women 30 years ago.

Since then, the country has implemented programs and projects based on “strategic policy frameworks, robust implementation, dedicated resources, and a comprehensive whole-of-government, and all-of-society approach.”

Related Tags

UN General Assembly DFA Ma. Theresa Lazaro gender equality multilateralism
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