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22 September 2023
UN Philippines chief calls for putting human rights at the heart of AI governance
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24 August 2023
UN forges tripartite partnership on nutrition with Philippine Government, World Bank
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18 August 2023
Women’s achievements in peacebuilding lauded by UN Philippines chief
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Philippines
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in the Philippines.
Data in this section is currently being updated and under review.
Story
06 April 2021
The United Nations in the Philipines - Get information on Resident Agencies in the country
The UN Country Team (UNCT) in the Philippines consists of eleven resident funds, programmes, and specialized agencies (FAO, IFAD, ILO, IOM, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, WFP, and WHO), six project offices (UNAIDS, UNESCO, UN Habitat, UNODC, UNOPS, UN Women), and three secretariat offices (OCHA, UNIC and UNDSS). Standing invitees are ADB, IMF, and the World Bank. The UN assists and supports the Government of the Philippines in its important development, peacebuilding and humanitarian priorities.
Check out their websites for more information:
FAO
ILO
IOM
OCHA
UN-Habitat
UNAIDS
UNDP
UNFPA
UNHCR
UNICEF
UNIDO
UNOPS
WFP
WHO
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08 May 2020
A coordinated response to coronavirus
See how UN resident agencies in the Philippines are responding to COVID-19
FAO
ILO
IOM
OCHA
UN-Habitat
UNAIDS
UNDP
UNFPA
UNHCR
UNICEF
UNIDO
UNOPS
WFP
WHO
The global UN response to COVID-19
On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the coronavirus (COVID-19) viral disease a pandemic, but it is a pandemic that can be controlled. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who heads the UN agency, said, in his statement, “Let me be clear: describing this as a pandemic does not mean that countries should give up.”
The UN Secretary-General urged all countries to take a comprehensive approach tailored to their circumstances – with containment as the central pillar. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting thousands of people, impacting countries’ health systems and having widespread social and economic effects. The UN entities working on development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, are supporting countries in their preparedness and response plans.
This page convenes sources of information and guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) regarding the current outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
WHO is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to track the spread and to provide guidance to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak.
Response and Recovery Fund
“COVID-19 is the greatest test that we have faced together since the formation of the United Nations,” said Secretary-General António Guterres. “This human crisis demands coordinated, decisive, inclusive and innovative policy action from the world’s leading economies –and maximum financial and technical support for the poorest and most vulnerable people and countries.”
The United Nations system—and its global network of regional, sub-regional and country offices working for peace, human rights, sustainable development and humanitarian action, will support all governments and partners through the response and recovery.
To that end, the Secretary-General has established a dedicated COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to support efforts in low- and middle-income countries. Its approach underpins the reformed UN with a coordinated multi-agency, multi-sectoral response for priority national and local actions to address the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. It will count on the country leadership of Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams in swiftly supporting and enabling governments in this crisis, and recovery.To view the latest updates, facts and figures, please visit the UN COVID-19 Multi-Partner Trust Fund Portal.
To stay up to date with the latest information, please visit:
WHO's coronavirus portal
WHO's guidance for countries
UN's coronavirus portal
Latest news on the UN's response
Frequently asked questions
How to protect yourself
Coronavirus situation dashboard
Philippines situation reports
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Story
21 September 2023
UN Philippines chief calls for putting human rights at the heart of AI governance
MANILA, 22 September 2022--Speaking at the opening of the 2023 Manila Social Good Summit last 16 September, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already having a significant impact on the work of the UN, namely on Peace and Security, Development and Human Rights.
At the same time, Gonzalez cited the prevailing digital divide in many parts of the world--where as many as 2.7 billion people have no access to the internet. On top of this, a data and AI divide is emerging.
"AI could end up creating a new inequality," said Gonzalez.
He added, "We need to ask ourselves: Are we going to end up with a small number of companies building powerful AI applications, while the rest merely contribute data and pay for content and services created by those applications? In a world where the wealth of the top 1% has grown exponentially, would the rich get richer and the powerful more powerful?"
"We need to ask ourselves: Are we going to end up with a small number of companies building powerful AI applications, while the rest merely contribute data and pay for content and services created by those applications? In a world where the wealth of the top 1% has grown exponentially, would the rich get richer and the powerful more powerful?"--Gustavo Gonzalez
Gonzalez advocated for AI regulation that embeds human rights in AI's entire lifecycle.
"In this approach, From beginning to end, human rights principles are included from beginning to end, starting from the collection and selection of data; as well as in the design, development, deployment and use of the resulting models, tools and services," he explained.
"Human rights principles must be embedded in AI's lifecycle from beginning to end, starting from the collection and selection of data; as well as in the design, development, deployment and use of the resulting models, tools and services."--Gustavo Gonzalez
The UN Secretary-General has welcomed calls by experts and Member States for the creation of a new UN entity to support collective efforts to govern this extraordinary technology, inspired by previous models such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization, or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Such an entity could gather knowledge and expertise and put it at the disposal of Member States and the international community. It could support collaboration on the research of AI tools to accelerate sustainable development.
As a first step, the Secretary-General is convening a multi-stakeholder High-Level Advisory Body for Artificial Intelligence that will report back on options for global AI governance by the end of the year.
This is a unique opportunity for experts from governments, the private sector, civil society, the technology sector, and academia to come together to create a global scientific consensus on the opportunities and risks of AI, and provide guidance to the international community on how best to govern it for the benefit of all humanity.
Already, some elements of this governance framework are emerging around data protection, risk-based assessments of AI algorithms and the responsible use of AI systems. Data must be accurate, representative and gathered justly. Algorithms must be tested for safety and must not discriminate. AI must be used for good and not subverted for nefarious goals.
Gonzalez emphasized that this AI governance requires the emergence of "a new generation of human rights activists." A human rights based approach to AI must be collaboratively agreed and crafted, and not simply be discussed in selected forums. [Ends]
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24 August 2023
UN forges tripartite partnership on nutrition with Philippine Government, World Bank
The United Nations has partnered with the Philippine Government and the World Bank for the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP), an initiative that aims to address malnutrition and hunger in the country.
The project takes on a whole-of-government approach to tackling issues related to nutrition, including childhood stunting—a significant problem in the Philippines, which ranks among the 10 countries with the highest number of stunted children in the world.
“Nutrition is at the heart of any development agenda,” said UN Philippines Chief Gustavo González on 23 August, during a technical discussion on strengthened delivery of nutrition and primary health services, which is one of the main components of the PMNP.
He added, “In the jargon of the UN, we always say, ‘Show me your nutrition indicators and we will see your level of inclusivity.’”
The PMNP was created to effectively respond to the scale and complexity of malnutrition in the Philippines that was worsened by the pandemic, which requires a multi-agency and multi-sector approach to resolve.
González described the partnership as a “cutting-edge” development, adding, “This should be a cooperation that immediately reflects a common team. You have the Government implementing the most important programs in the country, you have the World Bank that is providing the required resources, and then you have the UN as a global community of knowledge.”
A joint coordination group has been formed to ensure a cost-effective and coordinated support.
González also emphasized that the PMNP is an opportunity for the Government to maximize the value of its relationship with the UN.
He said, “We work together—you are expected to make the most of the knowledge that we generate because you own the UN.”
Among the primary agencies involved in the project include the Department of Health, National Nutrition Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and the World Bank. Other UN agencies, including the World Health Organization, World Food Programme, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will also be providing technical expertise.
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Story
19 August 2023
Women’s achievements in peacebuilding lauded by UN Philippines chief
MANILA — United Nations Philippines chief Gustavo Gonzalez lauded the milestones reached by the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) during the closing event of the partnership platform on 16 August.
In a video message, Gonzalez highlighted the achievements of the Philippines in pushing forward progress in the Women and Peace Agenda, starting from the adoption of a National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in 2010 — the first country to do so in Asia.
Among the other developments Gonzalez mentioned include the crafting of an emerging model for women-led early warning and early response; the empowerment of women leaders for peacebuilding in conflict hotspots; the continuous generation of knowledge on the challenges faced by women mediators in the Bangsamoro, which has led to an increase in the roles of women in mediation spaces in the region; and the registration of 77 grassroots women’s organizations with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and another seven with the Department of Labor and Employment.
“As a UN representative, I am definitely very proud of the achievements of the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund in the country for empowering an important number of civil society organizations (CSOs) and community associations and localizing peacebuilding investment,” Gonzalez said.
The platform’s 11 implementing partner organizations, local women champions, development partners and other global contributors and stakeholders took part in the 2-day event to discuss lessons learned and identify emerging models from the project.
The WPHF is a global campaign that channels funding and capacity support to women’s organizations that work to prevent conflict, respond to crises, and accelerate peace in their communities. The Philippines is one of over two dozen countries where the fund has been implemented.
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Story
16 August 2023
UN Philippines chief: Young people are “crafting a new vision of society”
As part of the celebration of International Youth Day (IYD) on Saturday, 12 August, United Nations Philippines Chief Gustavo Gonzalez called for more spaces and channels for young people to be able to air their concerns and contribute to decision-making processes regarding social and political issues.
In a video message for the Youth Organization Registration Program National Convention, an event spearheaded by the National Youth Commission for IYD, Gonzalez said spaces of expression are needed to harness the youth’s potential for imagination and transformation to address current global crises.
“After decades of progress and optimism, development gains are being reversed by the combined impact of climate change, conflict, financial crisis and the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said, adding, “It is the children and youth, who make up half of the country's population, who will struggle with the choices of our generation.”
Gonzalez shared, however, that in the face of the overlapping challenges they face, young people worldwide are leading the efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“For the past 20 years, a new generation of young leaders has started bringing not just a strong voice against the status quo or a desperate call to save the planet—they started crafting a new vision of a new society. That's an important social, and I would say political change, which is placing the new generation as genuine game changers,” he said.
The UN in the Philippines works closely with young people to empower them for active participation in society, while also protecting them from violence and harmful practices that may limit them from realizing their full potential.
Opportunities for youth engagement and participation have been embedded into all of the UN’s areas of work in the country, including the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2024-2028, a plan currently being developed with the Government to outline the UN’s forthcoming priorities and actions.
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Story
10 August 2023
UNOPS and the European Union help access to justice for indigenous people across the Philippines
BUTUAN – “Our mothers and their mothers gave birth to us here in the mountains. Far away from the cities,” said Bae Dalayagan Gloria Penaso, a tribal leader from the Manobo, an indigenous people from the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.
“After giving birth, they had to take care of their children. They were not able to journey to the cities to get birth certificates. This is why many of us today do not have one,” she explained.
Yet without a birth certificate a child is more vulnerable to poverty and exclusion. They are unable to access public education. Nor are they able to access government social welfare programs such as 4Ps, which are intended to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty in the Philippines.
Access to Justice Services
Through a grant from the European Union’s Governance in Justice (GOJUST) Programme, Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) has been able to provide legal aid services to this indigenous community. Support was focused on notarizing affidavits to secure birth certificates, so Manobo children acquire legal identity and can access their rights. But the University team – comprised of law students and professors – also equipped villagers with knowledge about their rights under the law, and provided legal advice to tribal leaders on disputes between their community.
“We are grateful to FSUU because whenever they came to our community, they helped everyone. They never chose one group over another. Many of our children have birth certificates because of them,” said Bae Avelyn Makigod, another Manobo tribal leader leading her community.
“The legal advice provided by FSUU has also allowed us to reconcile both mainstream law and our customary indigenous law in arbitrating disputes,” explained Bae Makigod.
Both female leaders placed a strong emphasis on education for their children. Tribal leader Bae Penaso proudly introduced Joy, currently an 18-year old Caraga State University student, majoring in mining engineering. She is hopeful that more of the youth in her community will be able to attend university as well. With their newly acquired birth certificates, more Manabo children may have that opportunity someday.
European Union’s GOJUST Grant Facility
Since launching the grant facility one year ago, about 2,300 women, children and men have been provided with legal aid services and received knowledge and training on their rights.
Christoph Wagner, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to the Philippines, explained the reason for the EU’s support to initiatives like this one:
“Access to justice is fundamental to building a fair, inclusive, prosperous and peaceful society. The European Union has been a committed partner to the Philippine’s Justice Sector reform since 2006, and our engagement stems from the importance we attach to democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
FSUU is one of GOJUST’s 12 grantee universities that implement the Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP) of the Supreme Court as a pathway to promote access to justice for indigenous people, women and other people in vulnerable situations. The CLEP is a credit-earning teaching course with the goal of providing law students with knowledge for the application of the law, delivery of legal services and promotion of social justice, especially to marginalized communities.
This 9 August 2023, the world commemorates Indigenous Peoples’ Day; recognizing the critical need to protect and promote the rights of indigenous peoples. Protecting indigenous peoples goes to the heart of achieving Sustainable Development Goal Target 16.9, providing legal identity for all including free birth registration by 2030.
“UNOPS is proud to be implementing this programme in partnership with the European Union,” said Joy Jakosalem-Balane, Senior Project Manager of the GOJUST Project.
“Access to Justice services is critical for vulnerable groups such as indigenous people. Together with the EU, we’ve been working with vulnerable communities since 2016, ensuring no one gets left behind,” Balane said.
With a total grant of EUR19 million (Php 1.1 billion) over a period of four years, the EU’s GOJUST programme supports the Government of the Republic of the Philippines’ efforts to improve access to justice for all Filipinos, and thus, contribute to inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development. GOJUST works with the Philippine Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to develop more responsive and accountable justice services in the country. In addition, GOJUST aims at strengthening the Commission on Human Rights to help it carry out its constitutional mandate of civil and political rights protection and enhance human rights promotion in the Philippines. This component is co-funded with the Spanish Agency for Development Cooperation (AECID), with an additional EUR 1 million (Php 59.47 million).
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Press Release
16 August 2023
UN, KOICA call for empowerment of Filipino youth to spur sustainable growth
MANILA, Philippines – In commemoration of International Youth Day, United Nations agencies in the Philippines and the Korea International Cooperation Agency highlight the important role that young people play in society, especially in ushering change.
The United Nations has chosen "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World" as the global theme for International Youth Day 2023. This theme highlights the importance of shifting towards an environmentally sustainable and climate-friendly world, which is not only essential for addressing the global climate crisis, but also crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"Young people are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and other challenges of our society, but they are also the most innovative, resourceful and determined," said Gustavo Gonzalez, United Nations (UN) Philippines Resident Coordinator. "We need to invest in and involve young people. We must give them the tools they need to be leaders in the fight against climate change and other social issues such as adolescent pregnancy that may hinder them from reaching their full potential. They need to be given the opportunity to actively shape their future!"
Gonzalez said it is important to “put the Filipino youth at the front and center of all our efforts. With all of their talent and potential, they are the key to reaching sustainable growth and development.” This is especially true for the Philippines, which is hoping to reap the benefits of the demographic transition towards having a larger productive population. Based on the latest National Demographic and Health Survey, Filipino children and youth (0-24 years of age) comprise 49.5% of the country’s population.
Southern Leyte and Samar are in the Eastern Visayas region, which is among the areas in the Philippines most affected by climate-related disasters and relatively higher rates of poverty. The UN, with the support of KOICA, wants to focus on empowering young girls towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
The Republic of Korea, through KOICA, is currently funding a joint programme implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO) that aims to reduce cases of adolescent pregnancy in the Philippines and ensure that girls are able to stay in school and are able to achieve their full potential.
The partners are working closely with the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the governors of Samar and Southern Leyte, as well as other government agencies in rolling out adolescent-friendly mobile health facilities, building the capacity of community adolescent health service providers, accelerating the integration of comprehensive sexuality education in schools, implementing Youth Leadership and Governance Initiatives, and conducting research on Adolescent Pregnancy and Child, Early, and Forced Marriage.
“With nearly 50% of the population being under the age of 24, the Philippines recognizes that supporting and empowering its youth is the key to achieving national development goals. KOICA is strategically focusing its support in the field of maternal and child health, and notably, in collaboration with 4 UN agencies and the Philippine Government, has been providing $6.4 million in funding for Accelerating the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy since 2022. This year’s theme is a great reminder to encourage multi-sectoral convergence to strengthen climate resilience and equip the youth with green skills. Through this 4-year joint project, I am hopeful that it can create a huge impact on achieving a better future for Filipino youth who are able to make better choices on their own sexual and reproductive health,” said KOICA Country Director KIM Eunsub.
“Girls must be among the new generation of leaders building our sustainable future, as they are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,” said UNFPA Philippines Country Representative Dr. Leila Joudane.
“As leaders call for a future of green skills among youth, girls must not be excluded. Through our project with KOICA, we can ensure that more girls are able to access opportunities and have better futures,” she added.
UNFPA explained that it's important to prepare young people with knowledge on sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially in the times of heightened risk of climate change related disasters.
KOICA and the UN agencies said the joint programme is a valuable investment for the future of the young people in Samar and Southern Leyte that will empower them to make decisions for their own health, dignity, and well-being. Its multisectoral approach will also serve as a model for the rest of the country.
“One pregnant teenager is too many. If we help address teenage pregnancies, we contribute to ending the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Let’s invest in improving the health and help-seeking behaviors of young people, especially girls. While our government works on improving the quality and accessibility of services, equipping young people with appropriate life skills to make informed decisions should also be our priority,” said UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov.
Before the pandemic, World Bank data showed that the Philippines has the 2nd highest adolescent fertility rate in the ASEAN region. Latest data suggest there are around 14 million single mothers in the Philippines and they face economic and social challenges as adolescent pregnancy can result in dropping out from school.
For more information:
Kristine Sabillo Guerrero | kguerrero@unfpa.org | +639175691449
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Press Release
12 July 2023
The complex path in the investigation of potentially unlawful deaths
The challenge of preventing unlawful killings is global. We just need to look at the most recent news on media to understand its dimensions and social impact. I have in mind the killing in 2017 of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, at the hands of police. In this case, investigations resulted in the conviction of the responsible police officers. But in most cases, there is no CCTV footage, basic elements of investigations are lacking, and families of victims are left without the truth of what happened to their loved ones, while perpetrators walk free and are not held accountable.
Last week, from 3-7 July, the Government of the Philippines together with the United Nations (UN) under the UN Joint Programme for Human Rights took a significant step to help address this. In partnership with global and Philippine experts, 26 participants, including representatives of government agencies, senior level prosecutors, security forces, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and civil society came together in a week-long intensive training to discuss how to implement the so-called “Minnesota Protocol” on the investigation of potentially unlawful death (2016) in the country. Internationally, the Minnesota Protocol is considered to be the gold standard in such investigations. It sets out the relevant legal framework, and elaborates on the conduct of an investigation, including the investigation process, witness interviews and protection, recovery of human remains, identification of dead bodies, types of evidence and sampling, autopsies and the analysis of human remains, as well as several guidelines, annexes and pictorial charts including anatomical sketches.
The firm grounding in the Minnesota Protocol and other international human rights standards was a unique feature of the training. Facilitators and participants applied these to practical exercises, real-life scenarios, and best practices from other countries where the Minnesota Protocol is adapted to the national forensic guidelines.
Last week’s training brought together global experts in this field. Dr. Morris Tidball-Binz, a forensic doctor who currently serves as UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary killings, has conducted fact-finding, technical assessments and capacity-building missions in over 70 counties. In 1987 he was invited by the Presidential Committee on Human Rights of the Philippines, in his capacity as director of the Argentine Team of Forensic Anthropology, to train Philippine investigators on the recovery, identification and documentation of the remains of the disappeared. Stephen Cordner, Professor of Forensic Medicine at Monash University with experience globally, has undertaken autopsies in, and/or death investigations from, most jurisdictions of Australia, New Zealand, Timor Leste, Fiji and other Pacific Island nations, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, India, Jamaica, Canada, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Atty. Kingsley Abbot has worked at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal in Cambodia and as a Trial Counsel in the Office of the Prosecutor at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in the Hague and has contributed to the development of the Minnesota Protocol as part of the International Commission of Jurists. Dr. Luis Fondebrider, co-founder and long-term head of the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF), has worked in 60 countries advising the ICRC and the UN, and has provided advice to truth commissions and international criminal tribunals. Ms. Leone Scott is a former police officer who has led and contributed to the development of methodologies for victim and survivor interviewing and investigative interviewing, with a particular focus on handling and effective interviewing of vulnerable and at-risk victims and witnesses, including victims of sexual assault and abuse. National experts, including Dr. Raquel Fortun and Dr. Cecilia Lim of the University of the Philippines (UP) Medical College also facilitated sessions.
Global experience shows that the application of the Minnesota Protocol either through enacting legislation or adapting the Protocol into the existing manuals or guidelines at the domestic level has proven to be a useful tool for investigating cases of unlawful killings and enforced disappearances. Its practical approach complements other protocols such as the so-called “Istanbul Protocol” on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
For example, training participants explored what the Minnesota Protocol says about interviewing victims and witnesses and were able to compare this to their everyday work. They also worked in teams to solve resources constraints that may exist when arriving at crime scenes.
The training programme is just one element contributing towards strengthening investigations and addressing impunity. The week-long session also served to go more in-depth on issues related to legal and policy reform, and to explore how to strengthen forensic capacity in the Philippines, which is one of the key priorities of the Department of Justice (DoJ). In this sense, the establishment of a National Forensic Institute, legislation related to mandatory autopsies, adoption of specialized training for Philippine doctors, and further cascading of knowledge about the Minnesota Protocol to be used alongside domestic procedures in all regions of the Philippines are all elements that will definitely strengthen accountability. Cooperation with other countries, including in the Southeast Asia region, will also contribute to exchanges on best practices.
The participation of the academe and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the training together with prosecutors, investigators and medical personnel has been critical. This enhanced a common understanding of the investigation procedures and steps to be taken when investigating potentially unlawful killings, and may also help strengthen coordination among different stakeholders. A trust building investment.
The Minnesota Protocol provides civil society actors with another tool in their advocacy, and a framework for detailed engagement with state actors when helping families of those killed. Through a framework of State obligations, such as the duty to investigate, the Minnesota Protocol outlines the steps of what is required, so that victim family members and CSOs supporting them can ask detailed questions related to what steps have and have not been taken.
As the UN, we are certainly proud of bringing the best knowledge and expertise to address complex development issues, such as justice and accountability. Without them, development risks not being as sustainable as we want.
We remain committed to continuing the work towards the full implementation of the Minnesota Protocol, and appreciate the constructive engagement that has started in this area, which is supported now by nine strong friends of the Philippines[1]--contributors to the UN Joint Programme for Human Rights. [Ends]
[1] Australia, Ireland, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States of America and the European Union.
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Press Release
06 December 2022
European Union-Philippines Trade Conference highlights the need of going green for small businesses
MANILA, 6 December--As part of the EU-DTI Arise Plus Philippines project, the first European Union (EU)-Philippines Conference on green transition and trade was held in Manila during the ongoing National Exporters’ Week.
Under the theme, ‘The Green Transition: Opportunities and Challenges for Philippine MSMEs’, the discussions at the conference highlighted the importance and impact of ‘going green' for Philippine micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) exporting to the EU.
International and national experts and practitioners raised awareness on the new agenda for sustainable growth of the EU, also called the ‘Green Deal’ during various sessions.
The event provided an introduction to the circular economy, deforestation-free products and carbon adjustment. Discussions focussed on the opportunities and challenges this Green agenda entails for Philippine exporters and MSMEs.
“Having this “Green Deal” session is an opportunity for the Philippine MSMEs to be informed of the importance of sustainable production in enabling them to access more diverse and high-value markets, especially the EU,” DTI-Trade Promotions Group (TPG) Assistant Secretary Glenn G. Peñaranda said.
Philipp Dupuis, Minister Counsellor, Head of the Economic and Trade Section, Delegation of the EU to the Philippines speaking on the occasion, said : “Conferences like the one today are essential to inform exporters in our partner countries about what the Green Deal is and how it can affect the requirements of their EU business partners have towards them”.
Rajesh Aggarwal, Director Division of Market Development, International Trade Centre, ARISE’s main implementer, said: “This conference will pave the way for enabling Philippine SMEs to become export competitive and make their mark in international trade. We are grateful to be part of this initiative from the EU and DTI”
As part of the efforts to mainstream and support women entrepreneurs, the event also officialised the institutionalization of the ITC-DTI SheTrades Hub in the Philippines.
“With the institutionalization of the SheTrades Philippines Hub, the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau will work with ITC to further strengthen our country’s efforts in promoting women’s economic empowerment and lower or eliminate the barriers faced by women entrepreneurs, at home and internationally, to foster a more inclusive and sustainable economic growth,” DTI- TPG Assistant Secretary Peñaranda added.
About Arise Plus Philippines
With an allocation of 5.8 million euro, the European Union-funded ARISE Plus Philippines helps Philippine exporters take advantage of EU market access and of the trade privileges granted under the Generalized System of Preference (GSP+). ARISE promotes awareness of new trade opportunities in the private sector in the Philippines, but also helps local MSMEs upgrade their production processes to meet international quality standards. In this way, the project supports the overall EU-Philippines trade relationship and trade-related policies by improving trade performance of the Philippines and fostering inclusive economic growth.
ARISE Plus Philippines is a project of the EU and the Government of the Philippines, with the Department of Trade and Industry as the lead partner. Other government agencies involved are the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Customs and the Department of Science and Technology. The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the technical agency supporting the project’s implementation.
About National Exporters’ Week (NEW)
The National Exporters’ Week is an annual event led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), in partnership with the Export Development Council (EDC) and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT). Presidential Proclamation 931, series of 1996 and House Resolution No.33 declared the first week of December as the Exporters’ Week in order to obtain total commitment of the government and the private sector to continuously work together to sustain export promotion and development.
Media contacts:
EU Delegation:
Thelma Gecolea
Thelma.gecolea@eeas.europa.eu
International Trade Centre:
Waqas Rafique
wrafique@intracen.org
Department of Trade and Industry:
DTI-Export Marketing Bureau
Kristina Noelle Andaya
kristinanoelleandaya@dti.gov.ph
Under the theme, ‘The Green Transition: Opportunities and Challenges for Philippine MSMEs’, the discussions at the conference highlighted the importance and impact of ‘going green' for Philippine micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) exporting to the EU.
International and national experts and practitioners raised awareness on the new agenda for sustainable growth of the EU, also called the ‘Green Deal’ during various sessions.
The event provided an introduction to the circular economy, deforestation-free products and carbon adjustment. Discussions focussed on the opportunities and challenges this Green agenda entails for Philippine exporters and MSMEs.
“Having this “Green Deal” session is an opportunity for the Philippine MSMEs to be informed of the importance of sustainable production in enabling them to access more diverse and high-value markets, especially the EU,” DTI-Trade Promotions Group (TPG) Assistant Secretary Glenn G. Peñaranda said.
Philipp Dupuis, Minister Counsellor, Head of the Economic and Trade Section, Delegation of the EU to the Philippines speaking on the occasion, said : “Conferences like the one today are essential to inform exporters in our partner countries about what the Green Deal is and how it can affect the requirements of their EU business partners have towards them”.
Rajesh Aggarwal, Director Division of Market Development, International Trade Centre, ARISE’s main implementer, said: “This conference will pave the way for enabling Philippine SMEs to become export competitive and make their mark in international trade. We are grateful to be part of this initiative from the EU and DTI”
As part of the efforts to mainstream and support women entrepreneurs, the event also officialised the institutionalization of the ITC-DTI SheTrades Hub in the Philippines.
“With the institutionalization of the SheTrades Philippines Hub, the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau will work with ITC to further strengthen our country’s efforts in promoting women’s economic empowerment and lower or eliminate the barriers faced by women entrepreneurs, at home and internationally, to foster a more inclusive and sustainable economic growth,” DTI- TPG Assistant Secretary Peñaranda added.
About Arise Plus Philippines
With an allocation of 5.8 million euro, the European Union-funded ARISE Plus Philippines helps Philippine exporters take advantage of EU market access and of the trade privileges granted under the Generalized System of Preference (GSP+). ARISE promotes awareness of new trade opportunities in the private sector in the Philippines, but also helps local MSMEs upgrade their production processes to meet international quality standards. In this way, the project supports the overall EU-Philippines trade relationship and trade-related policies by improving trade performance of the Philippines and fostering inclusive economic growth.
ARISE Plus Philippines is a project of the EU and the Government of the Philippines, with the Department of Trade and Industry as the lead partner. Other government agencies involved are the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Customs and the Department of Science and Technology. The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the technical agency supporting the project’s implementation.
About National Exporters’ Week (NEW)
The National Exporters’ Week is an annual event led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), in partnership with the Export Development Council (EDC) and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT). Presidential Proclamation 931, series of 1996 and House Resolution No.33 declared the first week of December as the Exporters’ Week in order to obtain total commitment of the government and the private sector to continuously work together to sustain export promotion and development.
Media contacts:
EU Delegation:
Thelma Gecolea
Thelma.gecolea@eeas.europa.eu
International Trade Centre:
Waqas Rafique
wrafique@intracen.org
Department of Trade and Industry:
DTI-Export Marketing Bureau
Kristina Noelle Andaya
kristinanoelleandaya@dti.gov.ph
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Press Release
20 July 2022
UN and humanitarian partners support 1M Odette-affected persons in last six months; recovery work continues till end of 2022
MANILA, 20 July 2022--Six months after Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) left a trail of devastation in 11 of the country’s 17 regions, the United Nations (UN) and humanitarian partners in the Philippines, and in support of the Government-led response, have provided life-saving assistance to over a million people. Since April, following the announcement by the Government of the end of the response phase, the humanitarian community has since been supporting local governments to implement early recovery activities.
To mark six months since Typhoon Odette, the UN Philippines launched today the Typhoon Odette Six Months On Photo Exhibition at the Instituto Cervantes in Intramuros. This exhibition, hosted by the Embassy of Spain, the Instituto Cervantes and AECID and coordinated by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on behalf of the Humanitarian Community, seeks to raise awareness of the increase in the occurrence of disasters as a direct impact of climate change and its effects on the development of societies. It will be open to the public until 20 August, to mark World Humanitarian Day on 19 August.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez said, “The Humanitarian Community will continue its support to the affected communities to ensure that progress made in the last six months is not rolled back.”
Gonzalez cited a recent report of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which stated that damaged houses still number over 2.1 million. The revised Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (HNP) plan which was launched by the Humanitarian Country Team in the Philippines on 2 February committed to provide assistance to 840,000 people in Caraga, Southern Leyte, Cebu and Bohol. Shelter assistance, as one of the main needs, was provided to over 210,000 typhoon-affected households. To date, close to 66,000 families have received kitchen items, sleeping kits, and lighting items. More Shelter Repair Kits and other shelter materials for the rebuilding of homes are needed however.
At the same time, over 3,000 people remain displaced in five regions (Regions VI, VII, VIII, MIMAROPA, and Caraga). In order to relocate these internally displaced persons (IDPs), resettlement sites need to be prepared.
Gonzalez also noted that in the last six months over 1.2 million people have received livelihood support, particularly for agriculture. Humanitarian partners have started implementing cash-for-work activities in Bohol and Southern Leyte, and this has helped beneficiaries to restart fishing and farming livelihoods. However, restarting agricultural activities is hampered by a number of factors, including the unfinished clearing of debris left by Typhoon Odette, and challenges in operating farming equipment due to oil price increases.
Gonzalez said that some 84,000 healthcare workers have been deployed and have served in temporary health facilities. However, health facilities remain semi-functional in many areas, and communities continue to require support to access health services.
Close to 46,000 children aged 0-59 months have been screened for acute malnutrition. The quality and coverage of services for the early detection and treatment of life-threatening acute malnutrition in early childhood needs to be improved and prioritized.
Earlier, in the response effort, humanitarian partners deployed 562 trucks to deliver relief items. While logistics operations for Typhoon Odette have ended, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had requested humanitarian organizations to move cargo in response to Tropical Storm Agaton. The goods were moved into areas also affected by Typhoon Odette, including the delivery of Government supplied food, hygiene items, and family/sleeping kits, among others.
Gonzalez acknowledged the support of donors such as USAID, the European Union, Japan, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), Australia, Canada and Spain for enabling the UN and over 260 humanitarian partners to address urgent humanitarian needs and implement early recovery programmes through more than 15,000 activities in food security and nutrition, protection, shelter, WASH, education, health and Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM).
At the same time, Gonzalez said that while long-term and sustained recovery will be the focus of support to the Government until the end of the year, the Humanitarian Community will reinforce measures to strengthen preparedness and build resilience against future shocks.
“Humanitarian partners will continue to work closely with local authorities to pilot new approaches such as anticipatory action,” Gonzalez said.
“As nations continue to address the different impacts of the global pandemic, the reality is several hazards may strike at once. The Philippines has already experienced responding to catastrophes in a COVID-19 crisis scenario and amid difficult access to resources due to the war in Ukraine. This is forcing all of us to change the way operations are being conducted,” he added.
Notes to Editors
Revised Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (HNP) Plan
Latest OCHA Situation Report
Anticipatory Action
For more information, please contact:
Manja Vidic, Head of Office, UN OCHA Philippines
vidic@un.org
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Press Release
21 December 2021
PHL, UN and partners endorse roadmap to accelerate implementation of human rights joint programme
MANILA, 20 December 2021—The Philippines-United Nations (UN) Joint Programme on human rights took its first major step today at the Steering Committee meeting of government and civil society partners and participating UN agencies, where they agreed on a roadmap to implement Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution 45/33, adopted on 7 October 2020, which outlined specific areas for capacity-building and technical cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines.
The steering committee meeting today was participated in by Department of Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra, UN Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez, and representatives of government, UN and civil society partners.
Guevarra said, "The Joint Programme seeks to affirm the commitment of the Philippines to the primacy of human rights, the importance of a free democratic space for civil society, and the principle of international cooperation—key values that the Philippines holds dear as a founding charter member of the UN." UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez said, “Today’s meeting is an important step forward in the implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 45/33. Concrete actions, milestones and tools have been discussed and adopted. Everyone has a role in the joint programme and is accountable for the expected results.”
The human rights joint programme received a boost recently with combined financial support from the governments of Norway and Australia of some Php29 million.
“I thank the Governments of Australia and Norway for their readiness in supporting the Joint Programme. They know that respect for human rights is a core component of sustainable and inclusive development,” Gonzalez said.
"Australia is committed to see this programme succeed and deliver tangible results. We congratulate the Government of the Pilippines for its efforts," said Ambassador Steven Robinson of the Embassy of Australia.
On 22 July 2021, the Philippines and the UN signed the UN Joint Programme Programme on Human Rights. The three-year UN joint programme was developed to implement Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution 45/33, adopted on 7 October 2020, which outlined specific areas for capacity-building and technical cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines. The joint programme document was signed by Secretary Guevarra, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr.,and Gonzalez, with the late Jose Luis Gascon of the Commission on Human Rights in attendance.
Aside from the DoJ, the UN joint programme is being co-implemented by the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), the Department of Health (DOH), the Anti-Terrorism Council-Program Management Center (ATC-PMC), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as well as the academe will also be core partners in the implementation of the programme.
UN entities involved in the programme - the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the UN Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT); and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) – will work with the Government, drawing on expertise and best practices to apply human rights-based approaches in these areas. Gonzalez said, "The UN Joint Programme on Human Rights brings together different actors to find solutions to complex challenges. This is not always an easy task, but these challenges cannot be resolved by trainings and expertise alone. Resolving them requires leadership and courage." "This Joint Programme forges a lasting partnership for the advancement of the principles declared in the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights and Article III of the 1987 Constitution--the Philippines’ own Bill of Rights," said Guevarra.
Through the joint programme, the UN in the Philippines will engage in capacity-building and technical cooperation in six areas, namely, strengthening domestic investigation and accountability mechanisms; data gathering on alleged police violations; civic space and engagement with civil society and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR); national mechanism for reporting and follow-up; counter-terrorism legislation; and human rights-based approaches to drug control. [Ends] For more information, please contact: Signe Poulsen (Ms) UN Philippines Senior Human Rights Adviser Email: signe.poulsen1@un.org
Guevarra said, "The Joint Programme seeks to affirm the commitment of the Philippines to the primacy of human rights, the importance of a free democratic space for civil society, and the principle of international cooperation—key values that the Philippines holds dear as a founding charter member of the UN." UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez said, “Today’s meeting is an important step forward in the implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 45/33. Concrete actions, milestones and tools have been discussed and adopted. Everyone has a role in the joint programme and is accountable for the expected results.”
The human rights joint programme received a boost recently with combined financial support from the governments of Norway and Australia of some Php29 million.
“I thank the Governments of Australia and Norway for their readiness in supporting the Joint Programme. They know that respect for human rights is a core component of sustainable and inclusive development,” Gonzalez said.
"Australia is committed to see this programme succeed and deliver tangible results. We congratulate the Government of the Pilippines for its efforts," said Ambassador Steven Robinson of the Embassy of Australia.
On 22 July 2021, the Philippines and the UN signed the UN Joint Programme Programme on Human Rights. The three-year UN joint programme was developed to implement Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution 45/33, adopted on 7 October 2020, which outlined specific areas for capacity-building and technical cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines. The joint programme document was signed by Secretary Guevarra, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr.,and Gonzalez, with the late Jose Luis Gascon of the Commission on Human Rights in attendance.
Aside from the DoJ, the UN joint programme is being co-implemented by the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), the Department of Health (DOH), the Anti-Terrorism Council-Program Management Center (ATC-PMC), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as well as the academe will also be core partners in the implementation of the programme.
UN entities involved in the programme - the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the UN Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT); and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) – will work with the Government, drawing on expertise and best practices to apply human rights-based approaches in these areas. Gonzalez said, "The UN Joint Programme on Human Rights brings together different actors to find solutions to complex challenges. This is not always an easy task, but these challenges cannot be resolved by trainings and expertise alone. Resolving them requires leadership and courage." "This Joint Programme forges a lasting partnership for the advancement of the principles declared in the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights and Article III of the 1987 Constitution--the Philippines’ own Bill of Rights," said Guevarra.
Through the joint programme, the UN in the Philippines will engage in capacity-building and technical cooperation in six areas, namely, strengthening domestic investigation and accountability mechanisms; data gathering on alleged police violations; civic space and engagement with civil society and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR); national mechanism for reporting and follow-up; counter-terrorism legislation; and human rights-based approaches to drug control. [Ends] For more information, please contact: Signe Poulsen (Ms) UN Philippines Senior Human Rights Adviser Email: signe.poulsen1@un.org
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