Philippines and UN brief diplomatic community on progress in implementing UN programme on human rights

On 12 July, Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, and UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez held a briefing for invited members of the diplomatic corps. 

Ambassador Garcia reiterated the commitment of the Philippines to engage through the UN Joint Programme on Human Rights, a collaborative and innovative project crafted jointly to further strengthen human rights promotion and protection. He highlighted the financial contribution (USD 200,000) and the engagement of many Government agencies in the programme. He noted the Philippines' deep experience in working with the UN.

Mr. Gonzalez noted that the UN Joint Programme is structured around the six concerns/areas mentioned in the Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution (A/HRC/res/45/33, October 2020). The following lessons have emerged so far from the implementation of the Joint Programme: 

1. A Joint Programme emerging from a HRC resolution means that there is a mechanism for accountability for results.
2. The Governance of the UN Joint Programme has been established, with a good model of cooperation between different actors – which is beneficial to sustainable impact.
3. The model is one where specialized agencies work together.
4. By being mentioned in the resolution, the Resident Coordinator is in a better position to drive the setting up of the Joint Programme.

Context

At the 51st session of the Human Rights Council (in September/October), there will be a segment on the implementation of the HRC resolution (A/HRC/res/45/33) which was adopted in 2020.  Since this time, the UN has worked with the Government, the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines and civil society actors to develop the UN Joint Programme on Human Rights, in line with the resolution. All sides have worked hard on this, and member states have supported with funding. The UN Joint Programme runs until 31 July 2024.