PRESS RELEASE

NYPM 041-2008

04 NOVEMBER 2008

RP IN UNITED NATIONS BUDGET HONORS LIST

NEW YORK—The United Nations recently recognized the Philippines as one of only 31 Member States which have paid in full all its assessments that were due and payable as of 24 October 2008, the Philippine Mission to the United Nations reported.

In his report to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, Ambassador Hilario G. Davide, Jr., Permanent Representative of the Philippine Mission, said UN Undersecretary General for Management Angela Kane paid special tribute to these 31 Member States during her briefing to the United Nations Administrative and Budgetary Committee held on 28 October 2008.

Ambassador Davide said the assessments paid on time include dues to the regular budget, peacekeeping operations, international tribunals and the capital master plan amounting to almost $4 million annually.

Also included in the "honors list" are Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Russia, Samoa, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

"This is first time in more than 10 years that the Philippines had fully paid its UN dues," Ambassador Davide noted.

The inclusion of the Philippines in the "honors list" is important in light of the candidature of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago for a seat in the International Court of Justice and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's recent praise for Philippine contributions to UN peacekeeping.

"Being in the list positively projects the country as a responsible Member State judicious in fulfilling its financial obligations to keep the organization fiscally healthy to achieve its goals and objectives," Ambassador Davide said. ###

Reference:

ELMER G. CATO 
Second Secretary & Press Officer 
Philippine Mission to the United Nations 
556 Fifth Avenue, Fifth Floor 
New York, New York 10036 
Tel. No. 212.764.1300 Extension 38