Marcos in New York to address UN assembly
PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. left yesterday for the United States to attend the 77th United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, and meet world and business leaders as well as members of the Filipino community at the sidelines.
It is the President’s third official trip abroad and his first engagement with the UN since becoming president in June. He was in Indonesia and Singapore earlier this month for state visits.
Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte will head the caretaker committee while Marcos is in the US until September 24.
Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte will head the caretaker committee while Marcos Jr. is in the US until September 24.
The President is expected to address the UN assembly Monday afternoon New York time or Tuesday morning in Manila.
The President, in his pre-departure speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal, said his attendance to the UN is important as it is where the world leaders congregate to discuss the most pressing challenges facing the world. It is important “to make certain that our voice is heard.”
The theme of this year’s assembly is “A Watershed Moment: Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges.” It aims to address unprecedented global trends such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, escalating conflicts that pose challenges to individual countries and the world community alike, Marco said.
He said he intends to talk about the Philippines’ vision of a people-centered development, highlighting his administration’s thrust for economic recovery, food security, and agricultural productivity.
“I will outline our expectations of the United Nations and the work ahead, the role our country will play and our contributions in strengthening the international system,” Marcos also said.
He said the country will also affirm its commitment to the ideals of the UN while recognizing the body’s contributions to peaceful settlement of disputes and the implementation of international law especially in fostering international dialogue and cooperation.
Apart from his address, the President is expected to meet with UN Secretary General António Guterres and hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders. Details on who the President will meet and if he will have a meeting with US President Joe Biden are still not available.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Marcos said he is also set to participate in business activities to seal more partnerships to promote the country’s economic and sustainable development.
He said he would discuss opportunities for more robust cooperation in food security, agriculture, renewable energy, and climate change, which are among his administration’s key priorities.
“I will be joined in these meetings by key private sector representatives who have been and will continue to be our partners in this endeavor. More vibrant PPPs (public-private partnership) will allow us to achieve the better normal that we all aspire for,” he said.
Among the meetings to be attended by the President are the New York Stock Exchange Economic Forum, the Philippine Economic briefing, and those with members of the US-ASEAN Business Council, the US-Chamber of Commerce, and Asia Society.
The Department of Foreign Affairs last week said the President will also attend roundtable meetings with the chief executive officers of targeted industries or areas that will be the basis for “quick post- pandemic economic recovery and long-term resilience of the Philippine economy.”
Marcos is expected to arrive on Sunday in New York (Monday before dawn in Manila) and kick off his working visit with a meeting with the Filipino community at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
“I will be visiting with the Filipino community there. I am told our kababayans as far as from Canada will participate in this gathering. It will be my chance to thank them for their support, affirm their important role in the continuing work of nation-building and strengthen our cooperation on matters that redound to the benefit of Filipinos here at home and abroad,” the President said.
The President early this month went to Indonesia and Singapore for a state visit and brought home some $14.36 billion (about P804 billion) worth of pledged investments.
Marcos’ official delegation to the US include Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy.
Also part of the delegation are Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, National Economic and Development Authority Director General Arsenio Balisacan, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Tourism Secretary Esperanza Christina Frasco, Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople, and Press Secretary Beatrix Cruz-Angeles.
Speaker Martin Romualdez will also join the President in the US visit.
Romualdez said he has high hopes for the success of the visit, coming from the President’s recent successful trip to Indonesia and Singapore.
“I expect the US visit to reap a lot of benefits for our country and the more than four million Filipinos and Filipino-Americans living or working in America,” Romualdez said.
The Speaker said the US is also a significant source of investments, being the Philippines’ major trading and economic cooperation partner and ally.
The US is also the biggest source of remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and Filipino-Americans, Romualdez added
“They contribute a significant part to the amount of foreign exchange our country and economy need each year, and especially this year when we are recovering from the crippling COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
According to the latest Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) report, remittances from Filipinos working abroad increased by 2.3 percent year-on-year to reach $3.17 billion in July from $3.17 billion in the same month of 2021.
The United States remains the biggest source of cash remittances followed by Singapore, and Saudi Arabia. — With Wendell Vigilia
