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22 March 2023
UN Philippines chief champions diversity as fundamental driver of business success
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Story
15 March 2023
UNESCO calls for proposals for ALS capacity building in Tacloban City and Region 8
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Story
15 March 2023
UNESCO calls for proposals for ALS capacity building in General Santos City and Region 12
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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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Story
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
22 March 2023
UN Philippines chief champions diversity as fundamental driver of business success
Manila, 22 March 2023--At the First Inclusive Philippines Business Summit (1st IPBS) held today at the SMX of SM Aura in Taguig City, Philippines, United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez called for diversity as a fundamental driver of success in business.
Led by the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce, together with Babaylanes, Inc and Youth Voices Count – Zoom Cares in partnership with the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE) and Big Dreams for Little People Philippines Inc (BDLP), the Inclusive Philippines Business Summit (IPBS) is a multisectoral platform to bring forward the transformative role of businesses in achieving genuine socio-economic inclusion where no one is left behind.
This Summit brought in representatives across various marginalized groups, from persons with disabilities (PWDs) to persons engaged in the informal economy; to entrepreneurs and business innovators representing the business excellence of women, LGBT+ people, young people, and many more.
The objectives of the 1st IPBS is to inaugurate the Inclusive Philippines platform, which will work towards crafting a unified roadmap for an inclusive Philippines; raise awareness about the need for a multi-sectoral approach to inclusivity; become a collaborative incubator for inclusive businesses; and provide an opportunity for brands and leaders to elaborate key issues, review business cases, and expand their knowledge base in relation to the dynamics and realities of inclusion.
The First Inclusive Philippines Business Summit envisions to reduce systematic differences in opportunities related to population characteristics such as age, SOGIE, income, place of residence or ethnicity through the transformative role of Philippine businesses.
The message of the UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez follows:
No doubt that you’re making history.
Someone said that “historic moments are the result of courage but also of high doses of perseverance”. I can’t imagine all the efforts and fighting invested to get this powerful platform up and running.
Nelson Mandela said: “It always seems impossible until it's done”. So, the First Inclusive Philippines Business Summit is now a reality.
Non-discrimination is the bedrock of diversity and inclusion. Diversity is a fundamental driver of success in business. It means being able to better reflect and understand your clients’ needs and expectations. It means incorporating a more comprehensive perspective of markets.
It also means accessing to a much broader pool of talent and creativity.
The added value of a diverse workforce is something I experience every day in my work with the United Nations. But don’t trust me. It is also something very well reflected in the hundreds of studies mentioned by the Harvard Business Review and Forbes Magazine, among others.
With such evidence, it is a paradox that members of the LGBTIQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Little Persons, and women still face multiple and different forms of discrimination in business contexts.
The United Nations has developed the “Principles on Business and Human Rights”, which provide guidance for the conduct of businesses and outlines best practices for ensuring a diverse and inclusive business environment.
I want to highlight here a few points based on these principles as it relates to today’s Summit.
Number One, businesses should respect human rights at all times. While Governments are ultimately responsible for human rights implementation, businesses have a fundamental role to play by putting in place policies that are aligned with human rights standards; by ensuring that such policies explicitly respect the rights of all; and by making available and accessible remedies for grievances related to discrimination.
Number Two, companies should actively seek to eliminate discrimination within the workplace. This includes ensuring that inclusiveness is considered in the whole cycle of a job: from the hiring processes, the determination of salaries and the opportunities for training, to promotion policies and retirement benefits.
For example, this would mean extending the same benefits to partners, spouses, children and dependents regardless of sexual orientation; providing reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities; adopting policies to respect the rights of intersex persons at work; and of course, respecting the privacy of all by not sharing information with third parties.
Number Three, companies should take proactive measures to create a supportive physical and psychological environment within their workplaces. Inclusiveness can’t just be in rules and procedures but also be reflected in the working environment.
Number Four, companies can in some cases use their leverage to influence the behaviors of others, including business partners, suppliers or customers, whose practices may, intentionally or not, discriminate against others.
Number Five, companies should openly stand for diversity, by making public their business inclusive policies and by engaging in public forums such as the one taking place today. Diversity should be genuinely embraced.
As you may remember, in 2015, UN Member States -the entire world- agreed upon a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a promise to “leave no one behind”.
Fulfilment of these goals, which include tackling social and economic discrimination and marginalization, depends on the collective efforts of governments and private actors.
By being part of this First Inclusive Philippines Business Summit you have put yourself and your businesses at the forefront of transformative process. You are making history.
And I’m honored to be part of this journey.
Thank you.
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Story
15 March 2023
UNESCO calls for proposals for ALS capacity building in General Santos City and Region 12
UNESCO Jakarta is calling for written proposals for Organizing Capacity Building Trainings for ALS Teachers and Girl Learners on the Utilization of the Newly Developed ALS Modules: ALS Teachers’ Guidebooks and Students’ Workbooks in Tacloban City and Region VIII in accordance with the present Request for Proposal (RFP) from institution/organization/company.
To enable you to prepare a proposal for this assignment, please review the following two documents at this link.
RFP ALS Trainings in General Santos
Annex 1 – ToR ALS Trainings on New ALS Modules_General Santos
Please send your proposal comprising of technical proposal and financial proposal to:
Email : jakarta@unesco.org(link sends e-mail)
Subject : RFP ALS Trainings on New ALS Modules in Cebu (JAK/QUO/23/ED/001)
Deadline : 21 March 2023
Your proposal and any supporting documents must be in English and price quoted in USD.
E-mail proposal should not exceed 5MB.
1 of 5

Story
15 March 2023
UNESCO calls for proposals for ALS capacity building in Cebu City and Region 7
UNESCO Jakarta is calling for written proposals for Organizing Capacity Building Trainings for ALS Teachers and Girl Learners on the Utilization of the Newly Developed ALS Modules: ALS Teachers’ Guidebooks and Students’ Workbooks in Cebu City and Region VII.
To enable you to prepare a proposal for this assignment, please review the following two documents at this link.
RFP ALS Trainings in Cebu
Annex 1 – ToR ALS Trainings on New ALS Modules_Cebu
Please send your proposal comprising of technical proposal and financial proposal to:
Email : jakarta@unesco.org(link sends e-mail)
Subject : RFP ALS Trainings on New ALS Modules in Cebu (JAK/QUO/23/ED/001)
Deadline : 21 March 2023
Your proposal and any supporting documents must be in English and price quoted in USD.
E-mail proposal should not exceed 5MB.
1 of 5

Story
15 March 2023
UNESCO calls for proposals for ALS capacity building in NCR/Metro Manila
UNESCO Jakarta is calling for written proposals for Organizing Capacity Building Trainings for ALS Teachers and Girl Learners on the Utilization of the Newly Developed ALS Modules: ALS Teachers’ Guidebooks and Students’ Workbooks in Metro Manila in accordance with the present Request for Proposal (RFP) from institution/organization/company.
To enable you to prepare a proposal for this assignment, please find attached the following documents:
Annex 1 – ToR ALS Trainings on New ALS Modules_Metro Manila
Please send your proposal comprising of technical proposal and financial proposal to:
Email : jakarta@unesco.org(link sends e-mail)
Subject : RFP ALS Trainings on New ALS Modules in Metro Manila (JAK/QUO/23/ED/004)
Deadline : 21 March 2023
Your proposal and any supporting documents must be in English and price quoted in USD.
E-mail proposal should not exceed 5MB.
1 of 5

Story
15 March 2023
UNESCO calls for proposals for ALS capacity building in Tacloban City and Region 8
UNESCO Jakarta is calling for written proposals for Organizing Capacity Building Trainings for ALS Teachers and Girl Learners on the Utilization of the Newly Developed ALS Modules: ALS Teachers’ Guidebooks and Students’ Workbooks in Tacloban City and Region VIII in accordance with the present Request for Proposal (RFP) from institution/organization/company.
To enable you to prepare a proposal for this assignment, please review the following two documents at this link.
RFP ALS Trainings in Tacloban
Annex 1 – ToR ALS Trainings on New ALS Modules_Tacloban
Please send your proposal comprising of technical proposal and financial proposal to:
Email : jakarta@unesco.org(link sends e-mail)
Subject : RFP ALS Trainings on New ALS Modules in Tacloban City (JAK/QUO/23/ED/002)
Deadline : 21 March 2023
Your proposal and any supporting documents must be in English and price quoted in USD.
E-mail proposal should not exceed 5MB.
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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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Press Release
28 June 2021
UN Secretary-General's Message for the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 26 June
Science and trust in science are the hero and lesson of the pandemic; the world needs both to win against the virus. Scientists delivered safe and effective vaccines in record time. Access to reliable and verifiable information is making the difference between life and death.
Action based on evidence is crucial for our responses to drugs, too.
The world drug problem remains an urgent challenge that threatens to exacerbate pandemic impacts and hinder a healthy and inclusive recovery. The forthcoming World Drug Report 2021 from the United Office on Drugs and Crime shows that deaths attributed to disorders related to drug use have nearly doubled over the past decade. New HIV infections among adults worldwide have declined in recent years, but not among people who inject drugs, who accounted for 10 per cent of new infections in 2019.
International cooperation has helped to limit the proliferation of new psychoactive substances, but the problem is shifting to poorer regions where control systems are weaker. Dark web drug sales continue to rise, and non-medical use of pharmaceuticals, including opioids, is expanding.
Drug trafficking and organized crime fuel and perpetuate cycles of violence and conflict. Armed groups and terrorists profit from the illicit drug trade, and the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic has left millions of people even more vulnerable to drug crime and illicit crop cultivation.
Disparities in access to essential controlled medicines in low- and middle-income countries have been further heightened in the pandemic. For example, medical professionals in West and Central Africa in 2019 had four doses of pain medication every day for one million inhabitants; in North America, the number of doses was nearly 32,000.
Investing in balanced prevention as well as control of drug use and drug use disorders produces solid returns -- saved lives, healthier populations, improved workforce participation and productivity, and reduced criminal justice costs.
Many of the risk factors associated with crime and violent behaviour are also drivers of drug use, and targeted efforts focusing on these overlapping dynamics -- including childhood maltreatment and lack of social support -- can help to strengthen prevention.
Moreover, research suggests that law enforcement and policing need to go after the criminals at the upper levels of the drug trafficking chain, who reap the highest profits and wreak the greatest violence.
Public-private partnerships - with tech companies, postal and courier services, and shipping companies - represent an essential frontline response in the new fight against drug traffickers, who are increasingly exploiting the legal cargo trade and postal services to move their illicit product.
Better data is also helping to identify trends and enable real-time monitoring of rapidly shifting trafficking routes. Science-driven early warning systems are helping to predict emerging drug threats. Greater international cooperation and support are needed to help low-income countries to take advantage of these advanced capabilities.
The theme of this year’s observance of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, “Share facts on drugs. Save lives” is a call for solidarity. I urge all Member States to listen to the science and take action, building on agreed international frameworks and drawing on United Nations support for health and justice.
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Press Release
18 June 2021
UN Secretary-General's Message for World Refugee Day, 20 June 2021
War, violence and persecution have forced more than 80 million people around the world to flee their homes, leaving everything behind to save themselves and their families.
Refugees must begin their lives anew.
But for so many, the pandemic has wiped out their livelihoods, led to stigmatization and vilification and exposed them disproportionately to the virus.
At the same time, refugees once again demonstrated their invaluable contribution to their adoptive societies as essential and frontline workers.
We have a duty to help refugees rebuild their lives.
COVID-19 has shown us that we can only succeed if we stand together.
On World Refugee Day, I call on communities and governments to include refugees – in health care, education, and sport.
We heal together when we all get the care we need.
We learn together when we are all given the chance to study.
We shine together when we play as a team and respect everyone.
On World Refugee Day, I commend the countries that have welcomed refugees. But we need more support – from States, the private sector, communities and individuals – if we are to move together towards a more inclusive future, free of discrimination.
The refugees I have met have shown me what it means to rebuild your own life while summoning the strength to enrich the lives of others.
As High Commissioner for Refugees for 10 years, I was inspired by their courage, resilience and determination.
I thank refugees and displaced persons across the world and reiterate my personal admiration for what they have taught us all about the power of hope and healing.
This World Refugee Day and every day, we stand together with refugees.
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