Permanent Representative Antonio M. Lagdameo notes that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) CPD 2024-2028 is the “first of its kind” under the reformed UN Development System that seeks to provide solutions and have a far-reaching impact while yielding good models of co-ownership, transparency and accountability at the presentation of the CPD during the First Regular Session of the UNDP Executive Board on 30 January 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. (Photo credit: Screenshot from UN Web TV)

Permanent Representative Antonio M. Lagdameo remarks that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) CPD 2024-2028 is expected to support the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action in order to maximize demographic opportunities and address existing population challenges at the presentation of the CPD during the First Regular Session of the UNFPA Executive Board on 1 February 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. (Photo credit: NYPM)

 

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 7 February 2024 – The Country Programme Documents (CPDs) for the Philippines of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the period 2024-2028 were approved by their respective Executive Boards in separate sessions on 30 January, 01 February, and 07 February 2024 respectively at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The Philippines, through Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo, endorsed the CPDs during the Executive Board sessions, highlighting their alignment with the country’s development priorities and strategies as set forth in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, Ambisyon Natin 2040 and the UN-Philippines Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2024-2028.

When the UNDP CPD was presented at the First Regular Session of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA, and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) on 30 January 2024, Ambassador Lagdameo noted that it is the “first of its kind” under the reformed UN Development System, and that its effective implementation would support the development aspirations of the Philippines, including the smooth transition of the country to upper middle-income status soon.  

In continuing to regard the UNDP as a trusted partner of the Philippines, Ambassador Lagdameo welcomed “UNDP’s support for the development and use of new data and analytics to make development policies and programs more responsive to the multidimensional and differentiated needs of poor and vulnerable people, to better capture inequalities of opportunity and outcome.”

At the presentation of the UNFPA CPD on 01 February 2024, Ambassador Lagdameo stated that the CPD is expected to support the achievement of the country’s Population and Development Plan of Action which seeks to maximize demographic opportunities and address existing population challenges, thereby accelerating socio-economic development.

Ambassador Lagdameo stressed that the “[T]he Philippines is dedicated to addressing gender discrimination and violence and empowering women and girls, especially those marginalized, with knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights,” in pointing out that the new CPD aims to bolster national efforts on transforming discriminatory gender and social norms.

He concluded his statement, with a statement of trust that the “CPD will translate into concrete actions tailored to our nationally determined priorities, and in line with our commitments to the 2030 Agenda and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action.”

Finally, when the UNICEF CPD was presented at the at the First Regular Session of the Executive Board of UNICEF on 07 February 2024, Ambassador Lagdameo noted that the UNICEF CPD is consistent with the priorities of the 4th National Plan of Action for Children 2024-2028, which will serve as the foundational medium-term strategy for advancing the well-being of Filipino children.

“It also strengthens the capacity of national and local government agencies and ensures that innovations and models are co-designed with national counterparts for improved social service delivery through public systems at scale,” he added.

Ambassador Lagdameo highlighted that the CPD covers capacity-building and modeling with national agencies in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, and includes an outcome focused on fostering climate action and interventions designed to promote shock- responsive and climate-resilient social services in each program component.

The Executive Board is the governing body of UN organization or office concerned (UNDP, UNFPA, or UNICEF), providing intergovernmental support and oversight to the organization, in accordance with the overall policy guidance of the UN General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and the UN Charter. The Executive Board ensures these organizations remain responsive to the evolving needs of program countries, like the Philippines. END