MANILA—The Philippines has publicly affirmed its support for a new United Nations initiative designed to enhance global governance and address pressing global challenges. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, speaking at a recent UN General Assembly session, endorsed the Pact for the Future, which includes the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.
According to Philippine News Agency, during his address, Secretary Manalo highlighted the pact as a significant achievement for multilateralism and a step towards building a better world through the solidarity of nations. He emphasized that the initiative would help guide the UN in delivering impactful outcomes across multiple fronts including peace, security, human rights, and equality.
The Pact for the Future, adopted by the UN General Assembly, outlines comprehensive action plans targeting sustainable development, international peace, technological innovation, and the empowerment of youth and future generations. It also aims to transform how global governance is approached by promoting inclusivity and intergenerational solidarity. Key focus areas include the roles of women, youth, migrants, persons with disabilities, older persons, and indigenous peoples in fostering societies that are humane, equal, and just.
Secretary Manalo reiterated the importance of the pact in reinforcing commitments to peaceful dispute resolution, echoing principles from the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Resolution of Disputes. He noted that by adhering to the pact, member states commit to renouncing force and the threat of force in settling disputes.
This initiative represents a pivotal moment for the Philippines and other UN member states, as it sets a new standard for collective action in the face of global challenges, emphasizing the critical role of rule-based order in maintaining global peace and security.