Marcos to skip UNGA 78; DFA's Manalo to lead PH delegation

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from September 18 to September 26 in New York City, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.

However, DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo confirmed in a statement that the Philippines would participate in the UNGA 78 and he would lead the Filipino delegation that would attend the high-level dialogues.

“On behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., I will deliver the Philippine National Statement during the UNGA General Debate,” said Manalo.

“Guided by the President's national development and foreign policy agenda, I will articulate the Philippines’ advocacies for respect for the rule of law and ambitious climate action, as well as our achievements and aspirations as a middle-income economy with an important voice in global affairs,” he added.

The Filipino delegation would include Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Health Secretary Teddy Herbosa, and National Economic Development Authority Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon.

Also joining the DFA are the Department of Finance, local executives from the League of Cities of the Philippines, and Special Envoy of the President to UNICEF Monica Louise Prieto-Teodoro.

Apart from various meetings on international issues, Enrique said the Philippines organized side events including a ministerial roundtable on migration, environment, and climate change in the Asia-Pacific region scheduled on September 21.

The DFA chief is likewise expected to sign a new agreement under the 1982 UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction or “High Seas Treaty” on September 20.

“I look forward to bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from a number of countries and with key UN officials. I will sign a number of MoUs [memorandum of understanding] establishing political consultation mechanisms with a number of bilateral partners, and discuss a broad range of matters of mutual interest at these meetings,” said Enrique.

“I also look forward to an enriching discussion on Philippine foreign policy with friends in the Asia Society,” he said.

In 2022, Marcos raised various issues including climate change, peace and stability, and food security during his address at the UNGA. — DVM, GMA Integrated News