Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 24) — The Philippines will continue to work with other nations for the peaceful resolution of disputes and the protection of those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, the country’s top diplomat said at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in New York City on Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila).
We advocate the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with international law. This has always been our position with respect to the disputes in the West Philippine Sea, inasmuch as we are prepared to defend our sovereignty, sovereign rights and territorial integrity,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said in his speech.
Standing in for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Manalo reiterated the president’s foreign policy that the Philippines remains a “friend to all and an enemy to none.” But for multilateralism to endure, Manalo said all must adhere to the rule of law.
He also said that the push for peace embraces how the world has changed and the technologies that will continue to be available.“We call for UN partnerships that guarantee that new technologies are not weaponized, or misused in any way to subvert democracy and freedom, to challenge international humanitarian law, and to exploit the vulnerable and violate human rights and human dignity,” he added.
Call for action against the ill effects of climate change
Manalo stressed the need to work together and help countries who bear the brunt of climate change.We need decisive, responsible, just and sustainable solutions that look after populations and protect persons that have contributed the least to global warming, but have the highest vulnerability by their geography. This is the meaning of solidarity on climate action,” he said.
RELATED: ‘Race against time’: Climate change and the environment a year into Marcos presidency
He also noted that the mechanisms that push for development should consider the requirements of middle-income countries.Our partnerships should bridge development divides,” he said. “Our collaboration for the future should make our societies more resilient, more cohesive, and more humane.He said this should include caring fully for the health of all nations by way of vaccines and health services following lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. It should never happen again, Manalo said, that those who most need care will be last in line.We affirm that health is primordial to our human development agenda,” he added.
A partner for human rights
Manalo also touched on the issue of human rights, mentioning that the Philippines took a lead role in the drafting of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, among others.He said, at the core, human rights is about people, and dialogue on the matter “must be genuine, based on evidence, and depoliticized.The secretary said the Philippines will remain a partner for peace.
