Thank you, Mr. Chair.
We align ourselves with the statements delivered by Pakistan on behalf of G77 and China, Switzerland on the Global Digital Compact on behalf of a group of countries, and Singapore on behalf of the Group of Friends of Digital Technologies.
We further wish to highlight the following:
- First, on the proposed new “Agenda for Peace,” Member States should reaffirm the concept of sustaining peace[1] as a conceptual framework and strengthen the existing Performance and Accountability Framework by reviewing its priority areas including the Comprehensive Planning and Performance Assessment System.
Furthermore, the new “Agenda for Peace” should build on the best practices and lessons learned derived from the various initiatives under the A4P initiative and the A4P+, including the Triangular Partnership Project.[2]
We also recommend that the new “Agenda for Peace” formally recognize Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) as a complementary peacekeeping approach to the direct protection of civilians (PoC).
It is also crucial that technical assistance and capacity-building are provided to developing States, upon their request, to bridge the technological gap, improve States’ national legislation and infrastructure related to cybercrime and cybersecurity.
- Second, we need to clarify the proposal on a “New vision for the rule of law” as well as on the “Global road map for the development and effective implementation of international law.”
In this regard, I wish to highlight the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. A landmark document, the Manila Declaration has clarified existing international law and engendered common understanding on applicable principles and rules of peaceful settlement of international disputes, provided for by the Charter and by general international law.
- Third, we wish seek clarification on the Secretary-General’s proposed update on the modalities of the Universal Periodic Review.
It should be noted that the UPR is the main intergovernmental cooperative mechanism to review human rights issues at the national level in all countries, without distinction, with the full cooperation of the country concerned.
Mr. Chair,
Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said, “In these challenging times, we need more effective global leadership and greater cooperation to carry on the peace agenda. We must continue to seek and implement sound strategies deeply anchored on a clear political vision and a culture of accountability.”[3]
We stand ready to continue to constructively engage in these thematic consultations in good faith. I thank you. END
[1] Sustaining peace should be broadly understood “as a goal and a process to build a common vision of a society, ensuring that the needs of all segments of the population are taken into account…” (A/RES/70/262 – Review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture; adopted on 27 April 2016)
[2] The Triangular Partnership Project intends to train and equip military engineering contingents with Heavy Engineering Equipment (HEE) purchased as United Nations Owned Equipment through the project and deploy them to peacekeeping missions. The concept includes training at a static training facility where a training set of equipment will be held as well as mobile training in a host-Troop Contributing Country setting where the equipment will either be rented/leased locally/regionally, transported from the static facility, or already provided bi-laterally by other member state(s). The concept also includes building capacity in terms of local/regional trainers by conducting Training-of-Trainers (TOT) courses.
[3] The Seeds of Peace: the Philippines and UN Peace Operations, 1962-2021; p.9.