United Nations in the Philippines

Farmers in BARMM enhance their skills in soil testing and optimal fertilization techniques for rice and corn cultivation.
Caption: Farmers in BARMM enhance their skills in soil testing and optimal fertilization techniques for rice and corn cultivation.
Photo: © FAO Philippines

The Philippines is one of the 51 founding members of the United Nations and a strong supporter of multilateralism. For eight decades, the UN has been a key partner, helping the Philippines uphold its international treaty obligations and development goals. The UN provides policy guidance, technical assistance, advocacy, and serves as a convener to mobilize stakeholders in support of the country’s development agenda.

The UN's activities in the Philippines align with the country's development priorities, human rights, gender equality commitments, and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Some UN entities also offer humanitarian support. The UN aids national development through technical assistance, capacity building, knowledge exchange, and innovative pilot programs. Twenty-nine UN entities operate in the Philippines, coordinated by the UN Country Team (UNCT) and led by the UN Resident Coordinator, the UN Secretary-General's representative in the country.

On 24 October 2023, the Government and the twenty-four UN entities signed the 2024-2028 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (CF): FAO, IFAD, ILO, IOM, ITC, ITU, OHCHR, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNDRR, UNEP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNICRI, UNIDO, UNOCT, UNODC, UNOPS, UN Women, WFP, and WHO. Other entities providing operational and coordination support include UNDSS, UNIC (DGC), OCHA, RCO (DCO), ESCAP, and WMO.

Milestones

1

In 1945, the Philippines was among the 51 original Member States and one of only four Asian nations to sign the UN Charter. A strong supporter of multilateralism, the Philippines actively participated in the negotiations for the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015. More recently, it contributed to and participated in the Global Compact for Migration and the Global Compact on Refugees.

2

The 2023-2028 Philippine Development Plan (PDP) is the country's strategy for deep economic and social transformation. It aims to reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction by steering the economy back onto a high-growth and sustainable development path. In the context of the Philippines' aspiration to become an upper middle-income country, the UN supports the PDP's implementation to ensure that no one is left behind in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

3

On 24 October 2023, the UN and the Government signed the 2024-2028 CF, the key strategic document guiding the work of the entire UN development system. The framework supports the Philippines in addressing the impact of the triple planetary crisis, fostering a just, green, and inclusive economic transition, and developing people-centered and inclusive policies and systems. It also sets the stage for the UN’s shift from traditional development assistance to transformative strategic partnerships, knowledge generation, and resource leveraging by playing a strong enabling and convening role.

4

For decades, the UN has collaborated with the Philippine government on disaster management. Following Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, the UN mobilized resources for immediate response and recovery. In 2021, despite COVID-19 restrictions, the UN responded to Typhoon Rai in Mindanao. In 2024, the UN supported the Philippines through an unprecedented typhoon season with six typhoons in four weeks. The UN continues to innovate in strengthening early warning systems, anticipatory action, and building resilience across the humanitarian and development continuum.

5

The Philippines has ratified eight of the nine core international human rights treaties, making it the only country in Asia to have done so. The UN has contributed to the domestic human rights legal system through advocacy, institutional capacity building, and technical assistance, facilitating the passage of numerous landmark legislations. The UN also supports the Philippines in implementing the Bangsamoro Organic Law, a historic achievement towards peace and stability in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

6

The UN regularly interacts and consults with civil society organizations to guide its activities and ensure sustainable, inclusive, and localized development action. Regular consultations with segments of society such as youth, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, academia, and the private sector are key to fully benefiting from opportunities to mobilize local knowledge, resources, and views for CF and PDP implementation.

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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.