RP named to UN democracy board

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines was named to the Advisory Board of the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), which spearheads the world body’s efforts to promote democracy worldwide, the Philippine Mission to the United Nations said yesterday.

Ambassador Leslie Gatan, Deputy Permanent Representative and Charge d’ Affaires of the Philippine Mission in New York, reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had included the Philippines in the UNDEF  Advisory Board.

Gatan said the Philippines will accept the invitation to be included in the board.

Ambassador Hilario Davide Jr., Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN, was informed of the inclusion of the Philippines in the advisory board by United Nations Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro whose letter of Jan. 28, 2008 was received by the Philippine Mission yesterday.

“As one of the most vibrant democracies in our part of the world and founder of the International Conference on New or Restored Democracies, the Philippines is greatly honored by the invitation of the Secretary General to sit as a member of the UNDEF Advisory Board for 2008,” Gatan said.

The Philippine Mission said the UNDEF was established in 2005 as a UN General Trust Fund to support democratization around the world. It  finances projects that build and strengthen democratic institutions, promote human rights and ensure the participation of all groups in democratic processes. – Pia Lee-Brago