Duterte upholds arbitral award but calls UN inadequate

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday (PHL time) called the 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea dispute a "win-win solution for all" but said the United Nations is from "an era long past."

"We must resolve dispute peacefully as manifested in the Manila declaration of peaceful settlement of international dispute," he said in his pre-recorded speech before the 76th UN General Assembly.

"The Philippines is one with the ASEAN and other stakeholders in ensuring that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, security, and prosperity. The 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral award of the South China Sea provide a clear path towards a just, fair, and win-win solution for all," the President added.

Duterte said that the arbitral award is a "benefit across the board for all who subscribe to the majesty of the law," adding that "no amount of willful disregard by any country however big and powerful can diminish the arbitral award's importance."

He called on the UN to undergo reformation for the world body to continue to be relevant in addressing global issues.

"The UN is product of an era long past. It no longer reflects the political and economic realities of the world," Duterte said.

The organization, he added, failed to uphold the concepts of democracy and transparency.

"But ironically, the [UN] Security Council violates every tenet of these values. It is neither democratic nor transparent in its presentation and processes. Many member-states have spoken, and we agree, this simply is not right," said Duterte.

"If the UN is to lead the world out of the many crises we face, things need to change. UN must empower itself by reforming itself. Therein lies the hope of humanity," he added.

COVID-19, refugees, climate change

In the same speech, Duterte raised several international issues such as the COVID-19 response, the Afghan and Rohingya refugee crises, and climate change.

He recalled an earlier commitment to contribute to the COVAX facility that provides vaccines to UN-member countries.

"The plain fact is – this pandemic will not end unless the virus is defeated everywhere. Vaccines are key to achieving this. This is why the Philippines committed $1 million to the UN's COVAX Facility. This is our modest contribution to our collective fight against COVID-19," Duterte said.

On the climate change issue, he pointed out a commitment to reduce greenhouse gases by 75% by 2030 and impose a moratorium on  the construction of coal-fired power plants.

"The Philippines accepts its share of responsibility and will do its part to avert this collective disaster," he added, saying the world is "at a critical tipping point."

"I issued a moratorium on the construction of new coal power plants and a directive to explore the nuclear energy option. But this contribution will be rendered useless if the biggest polluters – past and present – choose to do 'business as usual.' We therefore appeal for urgent climate action, especially from those that can truly tip the balance," Duterte said.

He then called on developed countries to "fulfill their longstanding commitment to climate financing, technology transfer, and capacity-building in the developing world," saying such is "a moral obligation that cannot be avoided."

The government will accept both Afghan and Rohingya refugees, the President said.

"We open our doors to Afghan nationals, especially women and children," said Duterte.

"For the Rohingyas, I have instructed the Department of Justice to work closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees  to prepare a cooperation program with a specific number of Rohingyas consistent with our capacity," he added.

Duterte underscored that the country has "limited resources during these extraordinary times. But what we can do for humanity and will uplift human dignity we will." —KG, GMA News