UN still very much relevant, says Del Rosario

MANILA, Philippines - In the face of “complex global issues” including threats to security, the United Nations has maintained its relevance, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said in his address recently before the 70th session of the UN General Assembly.

“With all the successes and challenges, praises and pitfalls, the United Nations has not only demonstrated its resilience, but has also affirmed continuing relevance against the backdrop of complex global issues and emerging regional threats to peace and security,” Del Rosario said.

One of the issues that the UN has so far astutely handled, he said, was the dispute over South China Sea and West Philippine Sea among China and Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines.

Del Rosario said the Philippines has long placed its faith in the rules and institutions set in place by the international community to keep harmony among states.

“On our dispute with China, a long-time partner and neighbor, we also hope that we will finally see actions that are consistent with Beijing’s declarations so that genuine efforts to lower tensions in the South China Sea can succeed and the peaceful settlement of disputes can be obtained,” Del Rosario said.

With the growing support from the international community in peacefully resolving disputes in the South China Sea, including through arbitration, Del Rosario said the Philippines believes that the final outcome of the arbitration process in The Hague would pave the way for early settlement of the maritime disputes.

He also identified issues that need to be prioritized by the UN, including climate change, rule of law, disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons, women issues, peace and security, migration and human trafficking, and UN reform.

Del Rosario led the Philippine delegation to the UN assembly in New York, dubbed “The United Nations at 70: The Road Ahead for Peace, Security and Human Rights.”

The theme, he said, echoes the fundamental elements that led to the creation of the UN and is also the essence of President Aquino’s social contract with the people.

On the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Del Rosario said the Philippines has outlined five pillars that form part of the building blocks for the new framework.

These include poverty reduction and social inclusion; environment sustainability, climate change and disaster risk management; accountable, responsive and participatory governance; a fair and stable order based on the rule of law; and peace and security.

He also stressed that the Philippines would continue to play an active role in dealing with climate change issue and with disaster risk reduction and management.

The Philippines is current president of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF).

“The international community must adopt a new legally binding climate agreement that is universal and equitable, one that ensures a bright and low-carbon future for the next generation; and one that addresses the needs of vulnerable states and sectors particularly the poor, women, migrants and indigenous peoples,” Del Rosario added.

As host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in November, Del Rosario shared with the UN the Philippines’ greater investment in human capital development, as well as greater focus on small and medium enterprises, building sustainable and resilient communities, and on enhancing the regional economic integration agenda.

The DFA chief also highlighted the benefits derived by nations from partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the UN.

On women, peace and security, Del Rosario said the Philippines “shall continue on its path to successfully implement the agenda… by highlighting at this session the important contributions of women in peace negotiations and peace building, and their roles in shaping the narratives of peace.”