Distinguished Co-Chairs,

The Philippines aligns itself with the statement delivered by Malaysia on behalf of ASEAN.

The Philippines extends its full support to both of you as co-chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group during the 79th session of the General Assembly.

In the Pact for the Future, Action 42 reaffirms our goal to “increase our efforts to revitalize the work of the General Assembly,” a strategic and urgent thrust especially as the General Assembly continues to address current and emerging global challenges and issues, including crises in multiple fronts.

The Philippines reiterates its strong support for strengthening the accountability, transparency and institutional memory of the Office of the President of the General Assembly (OPGA).  

Indeed, we need to ensure an efficient and transparent OPGA so that it can deliver more effectively for Member States.

In this regard, the Philippines supports the following to operationalize some of the suggestions reflected in GA Resolution 75/325:

1. Convening of the annual General Assembly retreat and a transition workshop to strengthen the effectiveness of the OPGA. Transition workshops between presidencies provide a platform for sharing information and best practices thereby contributing to making the OPGA fully equipped, efficient and transparent so that it can deliver more effectively for Member States.
2. Creation of a permanent core staff for the OPGA, in view of the heavy reliance of the OPGA on voluntary contributions and seconded national staff to deliver on a growing number of mandates entrusted to it by the General Assembly. This will lower the costs of a new team of experts every 12 months.
3. Pending the establishment of a dedicated staff for the OPGA, the Secretary-General should continue to provide to the OPGA, within existing resources, adequate administrative, technical, logistical and protocol-related support necessary to effectively execute his or her mandates as president of a principal organ of the United Nations.

A revitalized OPGA with a modest annual budget and a permanent core staff will surely provide the measures necessary to enhance its efficiency and preserve and further strengthen its institutional memory, while meeting the expectations of Member States.

Finally, on the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General and other executive heads, the Philippines highlights the importance of Resolution 75/325, which must be implemented faithfully to ensure a transparent and inclusive selection process.

In the selection of senior officials, the Secretary-General must be accorded independence in this process while adhering to the highest standards in these appointments, and ensuring equal and fair distribution on the basis of gender- and geographical balance.

In accordance with Resolution 77/335, we support gender equality and the representation of women in leadership positions at the United Nations, including the nomination of women candidates for the President of the General Assembly and Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Co-Chairs,

The Philippines reaffirms its steadfast support for the Revitalization of the General Assembly agenda and for your leadership as Co-Chairs. Our goal for the revitalization process must be to transform multilateralism in accordance with the UN Charter, towards making peace, justice and sustainable development a reality for all our peoples.

Thank you, co-chairs.