Philippines
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PHILIPPINE STATEMENT
UN Summit for the Adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
27 September 2015
HON. ARSENIO M. BALISACAN
Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning
National Economic and Development Authority
PHILIPPINES
Mr. President,
1. The Philippines congratulates you on your election as President of the 70th
Session of the UN General Assembly. We assure you of our support, as you
steer us through this historic and critical year of transition.
Strengths of the 2030 Agenda
2. The 2030 Agenda that we have adopted embodies our peoples’ aspirations
for the next 15 years. Its 17 goals and 169 targets build upon the unfinished
business of the MDGs, and on the recognition of the inter-linkages of the
environmental, social and economic challenges facing us today. The
inclusive consultation process was both an opportunity to build a shared
global vision for “the future we want” and a venue to amplify the voices of
the poor and the marginalized sectors.
Philippine Priorities in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda
3. We are especially encouraged by the inclusion of the issues of migration,
reducing vulnerabilities, collective action for conservation and addressing
inequality of opportunites in the 2030 Agenda.
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On Migration
4. The Philippines advocated that the Agenda recognize the positive
contributions of migrants to sustainable development in countries of origin,
transit and destination. We call on member nations to mainstream migration
in the development process, reduce remittance costs and fully respect the
human rights of migrants.
On Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction
5. Mr. President, if we are to achieve our development goals, we need to take
urgent action to combat climate change. We have seen extreme weather
disturbances occurring with greater frequency and intensity. These
calamities can negate our gains in reducing poverty and even push back
development. We thus need to put in place climate change adaptation and
mitigation measures, particularly at the local levels, and increasing
investments towards a climate-resilient economy.
6. In line with these, we aim to ensure financial inclusion for all, particularly
through access to insurance and capital, and through mobile financing.
7. As President of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and as one of the most
disaster-prone countries in the world, we will also work in the upcoming
Paris conference (COP21) to ensure that we adopt a new legally-binding
climate agreement that is universal and equitable and that will limit the
increase in global average temperature to below 2 degrees or 1.5 degrees
celsius above pre-industrial levels.
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Collective action for conservation
8. In this regard, the Philippines appreciates the emphasis placed in Goal 14 on
the need to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine
resources. Enshrining this as a global agenda obliges the community of
nations to seriously acknowledge challenges to conservation, such as
destruction due to massive reclamation, as a common concern. These
challenges need to be collectively addressed using a rules-based approach in
international law as reflected in UNCLOS. The call for solidarity puts into
words the pervasive consciousness on how local incidents impact worldwide
events.
Addressing Inequalities
9. There is no true development if inequalities arising from lack of access to
opportunities by the most vulnerable groups, remain. We aspire to achieve
education for all, universal health coverage, food security, and social and
economic inclusion, supported by quality infrastructure. We are mindful of
the pressing need to address maternal and reproductive health, including
access to sexual and reproductive health services, and to further accelerate
the fulfillment of women’s rights.
Financing for Development
10. Undoubtedly, realizing the Global Goals will require financial and technical
resources. We therefore seek partnerships for capacity building, developing
technology and expertise, and expanding our access to resources for
domestic resource mobilization, leveraging private sector participation, and
achieving resiliency.
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On Strengthening Capacities of Statistical Agencies
11. Mr. President, as the 2030 Agenda pledges that no one will be left behind,
there is also a demand for official statistics to be more disaggregated,
frequent, timely, and accessible.
12. Thus, we emphasize the need for capacity building to strengthen statistical
agencies. We call on the international community for increased technical and
financial support in this regard.
Conclusion
13. Mr. President, this Summit is merely the beginning. To move forward and
achieve the Agenda’s overarching goal of eradicating poverty, we must now
develop our national plans and budgets for its implementation and
monitoring. In doing so, we will collaborate with civil society and all
stakeholders in line with the principle of inclusiveness and accountability.
14. Mr. President, the Philippines pledges to make the 2030 Agenda a reality and
to leave no one behind. It is our sacred responsibility to our children and to
future generations, and our solemn duty as members of the United Nations.
Thank you.
MAXIMUM 5 MINUTES
1
PHILIPPINE STATEMENT
UN Summit for the Adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
27 September 2015
HON. ARSENIO M. BALISACAN
Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning
National Economic and Development Authority
PHILIPPINES
Mr. President,
1. The Philippines congratulates you on your election as President of the 70th
Session of the UN General Assembly. We assure you of our support, as you
steer us through this historic and critical year of transition.
Strengths of the 2030 Agenda
2. The 2030 Agenda that we have adopted embodies our peoples’ aspirations
for the next 15 years. Its 17 goals and 169 targets build upon the unfinished
business of the MDGs, and on the recognition of the inter-linkages of the
environmental, social and economic challenges facing us today. The
inclusive consultation process was both an opportunity to build a shared
global vision for “the future we want” and a venue to amplify the voices of
the poor and the marginalized sectors.
Philippine Priorities in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda
3. We are especially encouraged by the inclusion of the issues of migration,
reducing vulnerabilities, collective action for conservation and addressing
inequality of opportunites in the 2030 Agenda.
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY.
MAXIMUM 5 MINUTES
2
On Migration
4. The Philippines advocated that the Agenda recognize the positive
contributions of migrants to sustainable development in countries of origin,
transit and destination. We call on member nations to mainstream migration
in the development process, reduce remittance costs and fully respect the
human rights of migrants.
On Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction
5. Mr. President, if we are to achieve our development goals, we need to take
urgent action to combat climate change. We have seen extreme weather
disturbances occurring with greater frequency and intensity. These
calamities can negate our gains in reducing poverty and even push back
development. We thus need to put in place climate change adaptation and
mitigation measures, particularly at the local levels, and increasing
investments towards a climate-resilient economy.
6. In line with these, we aim to ensure financial inclusion for all, particularly
through access to insurance and capital, and through mobile financing.
7. As President of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and as one of the most
disaster-prone countries in the world, we will also work in the upcoming
Paris conference (COP21) to ensure that we adopt a new legally-binding
climate agreement that is universal and equitable and that will limit the
increase in global average temperature to below 2 degrees or 1.5 degrees
celsius above pre-industrial levels.
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY.
MAXIMUM 5 MINUTES
3
Collective action for conservation
8. In this regard, the Philippines appreciates the emphasis placed in Goal 14 on
the need to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine
resources. Enshrining this as a global agenda obliges the community of
nations to seriously acknowledge challenges to conservation, such as
destruction due to massive reclamation, as a common concern. These
challenges need to be collectively addressed using a rules-based approach in
international law as reflected in UNCLOS. The call for solidarity puts into
words the pervasive consciousness on how local incidents impact worldwide
events.
Addressing Inequalities
9. There is no true development if inequalities arising from lack of access to
opportunities by the most vulnerable groups, remain. We aspire to achieve
education for all, universal health coverage, food security, and social and
economic inclusion, supported by quality infrastructure. We are mindful of
the pressing need to address maternal and reproductive health, including
access to sexual and reproductive health services, and to further accelerate
the fulfillment of women’s rights.
Financing for Development
10. Undoubtedly, realizing the Global Goals will require financial and technical
resources. We therefore seek partnerships for capacity building, developing
technology and expertise, and expanding our access to resources for
domestic resource mobilization, leveraging private sector participation, and
achieving resiliency.
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY.
MAXIMUM 5 MINUTES
4
On Strengthening Capacities of Statistical Agencies
11. Mr. President, as the 2030 Agenda pledges that no one will be left behind,
there is also a demand for official statistics to be more disaggregated,
frequent, timely, and accessible.
12. Thus, we emphasize the need for capacity building to strengthen statistical
agencies. We call on the international community for increased technical and
financial support in this regard.
Conclusion
13. Mr. President, this Summit is merely the beginning. To move forward and
achieve the Agenda’s overarching goal of eradicating poverty, we must now
develop our national plans and budgets for its implementation and
monitoring. In doing so, we will collaborate with civil society and all
stakeholders in line with the principle of inclusiveness and accountability.
14. Mr. President, the Philippines pledges to make the 2030 Agenda a reality and
to leave no one behind. It is our sacred responsibility to our children and to
future generations, and our solemn duty as members of the United Nations.
Thank you.
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