THE PHILIPPINES and the United Nations (UN) on Tuesday signed an agreement that would set goals and bolster commitments to promote human capital development, decent work, climate action and disaster resilience in the country, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
In a statement, the DFA said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and National Economic Development Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan were also present at the signing of the 2024-2028 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the Philippines (SDCF) at the Malacañan Palace.
“This arrangement provides a good model of co-ownership, transparency and accountability for UN country programs,” Mr. Marcos said during the ceremony. “The SDCF deepens, expands, and elevates the partnership between the Philippines and the UN… It is oriented to support Philippine government policies.”
He said there was a need for the Philippines and the UN to work on crafting a “transformative agenda” that would foster growth and address inequalities.
The DFA said the framework is the first to be inked under the newly reformed UN development system, which started development in 2018. The system would help countries around the world set and achieve similar goals on decent work, climate action, and the preservation of human rights.
The framework underwent consultations with officials from the DFA, NEDA, UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo González and other government stakeholders, the Philippine Foreign Affairs department said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
