New york: Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro on Tuesday announced the successful participation of the Philippines in the High-Level Week of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), held in New York. Lazaro led the Philippine delegation in engagements that underscored the country's commitment to peace, sustainable development, climate justice, and multilateral cooperation.
According to Philippines News Agency, this year's UNGA, themed 'Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights,' marked the UN's 80th founding anniversary. The Philippines, one of the organization's 51 founding members, reaffirmed its role as a steadfast advocate of the UN Charter and multilateralism.
Throughout the week, Lazaro held 35 bilateral meetings across regions, strengthening cooperation in health, environment, renewable energy, and security, while promoting the Philippines' candidacy for a UN Security Council non-permanent seat for the 2027 to 2028 term. The Philippines signed accords with Hungary, Panama, Maldives, and Togo to expand cooperation, particularly on climate action and political consultations.
In the General Debate, Lazaro highlighted the Philippines' eight decades of engagement with the UN, advancing calls for climate justice, peace, and a rules-based order. She emphasized the importance of responsible governance of Artificial Intelligence in safeguarding international peace and security.
The Philippines made significant strides in environmental protection by depositing its ratification of the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), reinforcing its leadership in marine environmental protection. The country co-chaired a Foreign Ministerial Meeting on Maritime Security and co-organized events on climate action, migration, health, disarmament, and counterterrorism. It was also recognized as a 'High Seas Champion' for ratifying the BBNJ Agreement.
The UN Non-Communicable Diseases Task Force honored the National Nutrition Council for its health and nutrition initiatives. "Through these engagements, the Philippines demonstrated that it remains a credible, constructive, and principled voice in shaping global solutions," Lazaro stated in her arrival statement. "We return home, strengthened by new and continuing partnerships, with a resolve to ensure that our work in multilateral forums such as the United Nations translates into concrete benefits for the Filipino people," she added.
The delegation included Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and House Committee on Foreign Relations Chair Congresswoman Maria Rachel Arenas. They participated in over 60 events, forged new partnerships, and delivered key interventions on pressing global issues.