Philippines
PHILIPPINE COUNTRY STATEMENT
Commission on Sustainable Development 19th Session
Thematic Discussion on Interlinkages & Cross -cutting Issues
3 March 2011, UN Headquarters, New York
Mr. Chairman,
The Secretary General?s report on ?Policy options and actions for expediting
progress in implementation: interlinkages and cross-cutting issues? clearly states that
if we are to achieve the objectives of sustainable development, the thematic issues
discussed over the past few days, and indeed, all the thematic issues discussed over
the years in this Commission, are tied together by the need to consume and produce
sustainably. The entire Report may be encapsulated by the call for a paradigm shift
from the prevailing economic model that is ?consumption-led, produc tion-driven and
GDP-measured? to one that is characterized by ?substantially increased investments in
economic sectors that build on and enhance the earth?s natural capital or reduce
economic scarcity and environmental risks.?
The Philippines , as a middle income developing country recognizes the need
to move away from ?business as usual? because we increasingly suffer from the
negative environmental effects of unsustainable human activity. President Benigno S.
Aquino III has committed, through his Social Contract with the Filipino people, to
develop a country with an organized and inclusive rapid expansion of the economy
through a government dedica ted to honing and mobilizing the people's skills and
energies, as well as the responsible harnessing of natural resources.
This commitment is seen through the sustainable development lens in the form
of government policy enunciated in the Enhanced Philippine Agenda 21 and the
Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, which are in turn supplemented by
matching objectives under the UN Development Assistance Framework.
At the national level, all these policies provide a cross-cutting and interlinked
approach to sustainable national development, and are designed to accelerate progress
towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, among other
internationally agreed development goals.
Mr. Chairman,
At the regional and global levels, the Philippines shares these objectives
through ASEAN environmental cooperation for sustainable development and regional
integration. Under this institutional framework, 10 priority areas have been identified
for common initiatives. Furthermore, as a member of ESCAP, the Philippines also
subscribes to the concept of green growth as appropriately adapted to country-specific
circumstances and understood in the context of sustainable development, as one of the
approaches supporting rapid economic growth, achievement of the MDGs and
environmental sustainability.
A major part of this approach involves strongly advocating a sustaina ble
production programme through green industry. The Manila Declaration on Green
Industry in Asia issued in September 2009, is a step in the right direction of lowcarbon
and resource efficient industrial production. Finally, it must be emphasized
that the involvement, coordination and cooperation with business and industry, as
well as all other major groups, is essential if we are to succeed in our sustainable
development objectives.
Thank you.
Commission on Sustainable Development 19th Session
Thematic Discussion on Interlinkages & Cross -cutting Issues
3 March 2011, UN Headquarters, New York
Mr. Chairman,
The Secretary General?s report on ?Policy options and actions for expediting
progress in implementation: interlinkages and cross-cutting issues? clearly states that
if we are to achieve the objectives of sustainable development, the thematic issues
discussed over the past few days, and indeed, all the thematic issues discussed over
the years in this Commission, are tied together by the need to consume and produce
sustainably. The entire Report may be encapsulated by the call for a paradigm shift
from the prevailing economic model that is ?consumption-led, produc tion-driven and
GDP-measured? to one that is characterized by ?substantially increased investments in
economic sectors that build on and enhance the earth?s natural capital or reduce
economic scarcity and environmental risks.?
The Philippines , as a middle income developing country recognizes the need
to move away from ?business as usual? because we increasingly suffer from the
negative environmental effects of unsustainable human activity. President Benigno S.
Aquino III has committed, through his Social Contract with the Filipino people, to
develop a country with an organized and inclusive rapid expansion of the economy
through a government dedica ted to honing and mobilizing the people's skills and
energies, as well as the responsible harnessing of natural resources.
This commitment is seen through the sustainable development lens in the form
of government policy enunciated in the Enhanced Philippine Agenda 21 and the
Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, which are in turn supplemented by
matching objectives under the UN Development Assistance Framework.
At the national level, all these policies provide a cross-cutting and interlinked
approach to sustainable national development, and are designed to accelerate progress
towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, among other
internationally agreed development goals.
Mr. Chairman,
At the regional and global levels, the Philippines shares these objectives
through ASEAN environmental cooperation for sustainable development and regional
integration. Under this institutional framework, 10 priority areas have been identified
for common initiatives. Furthermore, as a member of ESCAP, the Philippines also
subscribes to the concept of green growth as appropriately adapted to country-specific
circumstances and understood in the context of sustainable development, as one of the
approaches supporting rapid economic growth, achievement of the MDGs and
environmental sustainability.
A major part of this approach involves strongly advocating a sustaina ble
production programme through green industry. The Manila Declaration on Green
Industry in Asia issued in September 2009, is a step in the right direction of lowcarbon
and resource efficient industrial production. Finally, it must be emphasized
that the involvement, coordination and cooperation with business and industry, as
well as all other major groups, is essential if we are to succeed in our sustainable
development objectives.
Thank you.
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