Thank you, Mr. President.
The Philippines conveys its appreciation to Ms. Debora Comini, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and Pacific for presenting the 9th UNICEF Country Programme Document 2024-2028 for the Philippines.
The Philippine Government endorses the CPD’s adoption.
We are pleased to note the Country Programme Document is aligned with the Philippines’ long-term development vision, as contained in AmBisyon Natin 2040, the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, and the recently-signed Philippines - UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2024-2028.
The CPD is also 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.
We appreciate UNICEF’s positive and constructive collaboration with the Philippine Government throughout the process. The CPD was finalized through consultations with the Philippine Government, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Council for the Welfare of Children, as well as the National Economic and Development Authority.
The CPD incorporates lessons learned from the implementation of previous frameworks. 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.
Localization efforts include capacity-building and modeling with national agencies in regions, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, where children's outcomes need improvement.
Recognizing the immense threat posed by climate change, especially to vulnerable sectors including children, it includes an outcome focused on fostering climate action and interventions designed to promote shock-responsive and climate-resilient social services in each program component.
Finally, we commend the efforts of the UNICEF Philippine Country Office led by Ms. Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov and her team in the preparation of the CPD9. We also wish to thank Ms. Debora Comini for all her important work and contributions to ensure the welfare of children around the world, including in the Philippines; and wish her well as she retires from international public service.
We are committed to further strengthening PH-UNICEF partnership; and trust that the CPD9 will be translated into concrete actions and results that are tailored to our nationally determined priorities.
Thank you. END