UN Philippines Resident Coordinator's Remarks on the Occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations

Hon. Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, members of the Diplomatic Corps, colleagues and friends — good afternoon. 

Today we gather to celebrate eighty years of the United Nations — eighty years of collective effort to build peace, advance human rights, and improve the lives of people everywhere. 

It is a time to honor what has been achieved: so many conflicts prevented, so many people lifted out of poverty, so many international standards created to help protect human dignity and promote sustainable development. UN Standards connects with almost every aspects of our lives. This is an extraordinary record — one that reminds us that cooperation works, and that the world can come together when it chooses to. 

But anniversaries are not only about celebration — they are also moments for reflection. And it is fair to ask ourselves: have we done enough, are we doing enough? 

With all the progress made, we know the world continues to face profound challenges. Climate change, terrible conflicts, abysmal inequality, authoritarianism, and disinformation fueled by AI are reshaping societies everywhere. And even as we know what must be done, our collective response often falls short of the urgency our times demand. 

Individually and collectively, as governments, civil society, the private sector, and citizens — how often do we overlook discrimination or remain silent in the face of human rights violations? How often do our daily choices — how we travel, consume, or use energy — contradict the sustainability we all say we seek? 

These are not accusations but reminders: that the global transformation we aspire to, including at the UN, begins with personal changes — and with the courage to question ourselves. 

This is also a moment to look in the mirror and ask how the next generation will judge us. Many young people are seeking new forms of engagement and new ways of imagining the future. We need to listen and act more, to rebuild trust, and to show that cooperation and solidarity still offer the best path forward. 

Here in the Philippines, we have a remarkable example of what committed multilateralism looks like and the list of contributions of the country is very long and permanently growing: 

• The Philippines was one of the original 51 founding members of the United Nations, having signed the UN Charter in San Francisco on 26 June 1945.

• Carlos P. Rómulo, then a delegate, played a historic role — later becoming President of the 4th UN General Assembly (1949–1950) — the first and only Filipino and the first Asian to hold that office.

• The Philippines was among the first signatories of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), and has consistently engaged in global human rights mechanisms.

• It was a founding member of the UN Human Rights Council (2006) and has served multiple terms. 

• The Philippines played a key role in the adoption of the Rome Statute (1998), helping establish the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

• Filipino diplomats also contributed to the creation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), vital to maritime governance and conflict prevention — an issue of national and regional importance.

• Since 1963, the Philippines has deployed over 20,000 peacekeepers to UN missions across the world — from the Middle East (UNDOF, UNIFIL) to Africa (Liberia, Sudan, South Sudan) and Haiti. 

This spirit of partnership continues also at country level. Through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2024–2028 signed by President Marcos, we are working hand in hand with the government, international partners, civil society, and the private sector to advance inclusive human development, climate resilience, gender equality, peacebuilding, and sustainable economic transformation. 

These partnerships show that when national priorities and multilateral support align, we can deliver real, measurable progress for people and communities. 

The United Nations is not an institution apart from us — it is a reflection of who we are and what we choose to stand for. 

Our shared future depends not on new declarations, but on renewed determination to make the commitments we have already made a living reality for every person, in every community, in every generation. Leaving no one behind. 

On behalf of the United Nations family in the Philippines, I extend our deepest appreciation to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Diplomatic Corps for your enduring leadership and partnership. 

Let’s continue to work together to build the next chapter of the United Nations for the next 80 years! 

Maraming Salamat Po and thank you.