PRESS RELEASE

NYPM 07-2012

04 MAY 2012

FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY DEL ROSARIO AND UN SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON STRESS IMPORTANCE OF RESOLVING DISPUTES PEACEFULLY

Secretary Del Rosario with Secretary-General Ban at
the United Nations for a meeting where both agreed
on the importance of the peaceful settlement of
disputes

04 May 2012, New York – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the importance of the peaceful settlement of disputes in relations between states during their meeting at the United Nations. Secretary Del Rosario and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also discussed Philippine initiatives in the world body.

“We believe in highlighting the importance of instruments on the peaceful settlement of disputes,” Secretary Del Rosario told Secretary-General Ban at the UN Headquarters here.

The Philippines has led efforts in the United Nations to mark the 30 th anniversary of the adoption of the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes this year through a General Assembly resolution calling on States to “promote and observe in good faith” the historic declaration.

For his part, Secretary-General Ban congratulated the Philippines “for actively promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes through its commemoration of the 30 th anniversary of the historic Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes.” The Secretary-General also welcomed the Philippine-initiated resolution on the Manila Declaration.

The resolution was approved by consensus at the recent session of the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations. It is up for adoption at the Sixth Committee and the General Assembly.

Secretary Del Rosario and Secretary-General Ban also discussed the High Level Meetings on Mediation this month and on the Rule of Law in September.

Secretary-General Ban lauded the Philippines for its role in promoting mediation and for its contribution to the report on Meditation that he is preparing and hopes to issue in July.

“I hope that our work on promoting mediation will build on the groundwork already laid by the Manila Declaration,” the Secretary-General said, adding “preventing conflict is one of my five priority agendas in the UN.”

The Secretary agreed on the importance of mediation as one of the viable means of peacefully settling disputes.

“These are crucial in today’s world… these efforts should translate into greater respect for the peaceful settlement of disputes and rule of law,” Secretary Del Rosario said.

He added that these initiatives are particularly important to the Philippines, given the situation in the West Philippine Sea.

Secretary Del Rosario reiterated to Secretary-General Ban that the Philippine Government remains committed to a peaceful solution based on the UN Charter, the UNCLOS and international law.

“We believe that the unfolding events are of great interest to all nations, as they have a stake in the peace and stability of this economically and politically strategic area,” he said. END

Reference:

Robert E.A. Borje
Second Secretary
Legal Affairs, Press and Information and Interfaith Dialogue

Philippine Mission to the United Nations
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036
Telephone No. 212.764.1300 ext. 23