Ambassador and Permanent Representative Antonio M. Lagdameo chairs the final session of the Working Group on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters, which was constituted under the Sixth Committee of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (Photo Credit: New York PM).
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 8 November 2023 — In a critical step toward enhancing international disaster response, Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo, the Philippines' Permanent Representative to the UN, presented his oral report today as Chair of the Working Group on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters (PPED) under the Sixth Committee of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The primary objective of the Working Group is to examine the draft articles on the protection of persons in the event of disasters, adopted by the International Law Commission (ILC) in 2016. The said draft articles aim to facilitate adequate and effective response to disasters, and reduction of the risks, to meet the needs of persons concerned, with full respect for their rights.
It will also consider the recommendation of the ILC to elaborate a convention by the General Assembly or by an international conference of plenipotentiaries on the basis of the draft articles, or any other potential course of action with respect to the draft articles.
The Working Group held eight meetings on 5, 6, 9, 10 October and 6 November 2023.
In the Chair’s summary circulated to all states, support was expressed by many delegations for the conclusion of a convention on the protection of persons in the event of disasters on the basis of the draft articles adopted by the International Law Commission in 2016. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of a legally binding instrument in the area of protection of persons in the event of disasters. It was further recalled that the Commission had completed its work and that the fate of the draft articles was now in the hands of the Sixth Committee. Accordingly, it was time to move forward since further refinements could be made during the negotiations on the convention.
“I have endeavored to take all such comments into account in finalizing the Chair’s summary. In pursuit of balance and impartiality, I have diligently incorporated a range of contributions into the final summary, ensuring a representation that is both nuanced and equitable, reflective of our extensive discussions,” Ambassador Lagdameo stated.
As Chair, the Philippines will steer the Working Group in its mandate to examine the draft articles prepared by the International Law Commission (ILC) and further discuss the ILC's recommendation regarding a convention either by the General Assembly or an international conference of plenipotentiaries based on these drafts.
“I am pleased to report that delegations engaged in a series of in-depth substantive and thought-provoking discussions throughout the meetings of the working group. I expect that such rich discussion will help to set the ground for the second round of meetings of the working group, to be held next year during the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly and will also inform discussions held during the inter-sessional period,” Ambassador Lagdameo said.
In 2024, the Working Group will report its findings to the Sixth Committee, aiming for the Committee to propose any subsequent actions concerning the draft articles to the Assembly.
Ambassador Lagdameo also thanked Ambassador and Permanent Representative Suriya Chindawongse of Thailand, Chair of the Sixth Committee, and his Bureau, as well as all delegations, for the trust reposed on him as the Chair of the Working Group. He further thanked Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative Ariel Rodelas Penaranda for his stewardship of some of the Working Group meetings.
The Sixth Committee serves as the primary venue for discussing legal questions within the General Assembly. Every United Nations Member State is entitled to representation in the Sixth Committee, a principal committee of the General Assembly. More information about the ILC’s work on the Draft Articles on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters is available on this website: https://legal.un.org/Ilc/guide/6_3.shtml END.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative Antonio M. Lagdameo delivers his oral report on the first session of the Working Group on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters at the meeting of the Sixth Committee during the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. (Photo Credit: New York PM).
Ambassador and Permanent Representative Antonio M. Lagdameo listens to the delegations during the final session of the Working Group on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters during the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (Photo Credit: New York PM).