Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, thanked delegations for supporting the Philippine initiative to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes.
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 22 February 2022– Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, highlighted the continuing relevance of the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes at the annual session of the Special Committee of the Charter of the United Nations and Strengthening the Role of the Organization.
The Special Committee’s 2022 session, chaired by Moldova, is taking place from 22 February to 2 March and features in-person and virtual discussions and working groups.
“One of the Special Committee’s most important achievements is the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes,” Ambassador Manalo said.
Ambassador Manalo thanked the Special Committee for the support for the Philippine initiative to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Manila Declaration. On 9 December 2021, the General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution calling for the commemoration in 2022 of the 40th anniversary of the Manila Declaration, based on the Philippine initiative which was endorsed by the Special Committee.
In his statement, Ambassador Manalo further noted that the Manila Declaration is an initiative of the non-aligned countries and its adoption by consensus forty years ago in November 1982 “brought together states from various groups, clarified existing international law, and engendered common understanding on applicable principles and rules of peaceful settlement of international disputes as such and the ways and means provided for by the Charter and by general international law.”
The Manila Declaration reaffirms fundamental principles of the UN Charter, among others, the obligation of all States to settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered. It also reaffirms the obligation for all States to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.
“I am pleased that many delegations cited today the continuing relevance of the Manila Declaration in contributing to the peaceful settlement of disputes,” Ambassador Manalo said.
Expressing its full support for the Philippines, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) conveyed its satisfaction for the adoption of the General Assembly Resolution A/76/116 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Manila Declaration in 2022 through appropriate activities and channels.
On the subject of peaceful settlement of disputes, Ambassador Manalo welcomed the thematic discussion on state practices regarding the use of judicial settlement, noting that the Philippines shared its experience in arbitration in the previous session of the Special Committee. He underscored the principal role of the International Court of Justice in The Hague in judicial settlement.
On sanctions, the Philippines reiterated its view that sanctions should be imposed only as a measure of last resort, when there exists a threat to international peace and security, a breach of the peace or an act of aggression, and always in accordance with the Charter.
Established as a platform to exchange views on the implementation of the UN Charter, the Special Committee holds annual sessions where Member States gather to consider proposals and hold substantive discussions regarding the Charter and the strengthening of the role of the United Nations with regard to the maintenance and consolidation of international peace and security, the development of cooperation among all nations and the promotion of the rules of international law. END