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UN Third Committee concludes session, adopts 2 resolutions tabled by PH

Friday, November 20, 2020 - 21:15

 

New York, 19 November 2020 – Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Issues) of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly has concluded its work on 19 November 2020.

 

During the session, the resolution “Trafficking in women and girls” initiated by the Philippines and the resolution “Inclusive development for and with persons with disabilities” initiated by the Philippines together with Tanzania were both adopted by consensus.

 

The Philippines co-sponsored all the resolutions under the agenda item on Advancement of Women, which included the new resolutions on “Strengthening National and International Rapid Response to COVID-19” and “Women and Girls and the Response to COVID-19.” The Philippines also co-sponsored the resolutions on the promotion and protection of children, the elimination of racism, racial discrimination and related intolerance, crime prevention and criminal justice, and international drug control. The Philippines also co-sponsored resolutions that pertained to the human rights, which included the resolutions on human rights and extreme poverty, human rights in the administration of justice, freedom of region or belief, and the right to food.

 

The Third Committee met from 05 October to 19 November 2020, during which it debated and adopted a total of 50 resolutions despite the constraints and the extraordinary circumstances imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 50 resolutions, 31 were adopted by consensus and 19 by recorded vote. Twenty-six (26) resolutions were co-sponsored by the Philippines, including the two initiated by it, three (3) initiated by the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and four (4) initiated by the Group of 77 (G77) and China. The Philippines is an automatic co-sponsor of all resolutions initiated by the G77 and NAM.

 

During the Committee’s opening session on 05 October 2020, Ambassador Manalo highlighted the Philippines’ commitment to promote, protect and fulfill the human rights of all persons. He shared the initiatives and activities undertaken, and the leadership role of the Philippines at the UN to protect the most vulnerable populations including migrants, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.

 

The Third Committee considers a broad range of social, humanitarian affairs and human rights issues that affect people all over the world. An important part of the work of the Third Committee focuses on the examination of human rights questions, including reports of the special procedures of the Human Rights Council. The Committee also discusses questions relating to the advancement of women, the protection of children, indigenous issues, the treatment of refugees, the promotion of fundamental freedoms through the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and the right to self- determination.  The Committee also addresses important social development questions such as issues related to youth, family, ageing, persons with disabilities, crime prevention, criminal justice, and international drug control. END