Distinguished Co-Chairs,[1]
We thank you for your leadership in facilitating the work of this body under extraordinary circumstances and assure you of our continued support.
The Philippines aligns itself with the Statement made by Algeria, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.
We wish to submit the following points to address today’s third thematic debate on the Working Methods of the General Assembly under the revitalization agenda:
First, we endorse Member States’ recommendation to enhance synergies and coherence, and reduce overlap where it exists in the agenda of the General Assembly by moving forward to biennialize and triennialize the clustering and elimination of items, and to explore the introduction of a sunset clause to resolutions in order to have more time and resources to focus on pressing priorities.
Second, given its comprehensive impact on overall efficiency, effectiveness and transparency, the review of the GA’s working methods should strengthen policy coherence, institutional leadership and enhance results. We therefore support the call to develop a code of conduct for election campaigns with a view to improving standards of transparency, accountability and equity.
Third, we also support proposal by Member States to consider a set of guidelines on the initiation of high-level meetings and side-events held in parallel with the General Debate during the High-Level Week to be applicable to the Member States, the Secretariat and the entire UN system. Limiting the number of side-events during the HLW would allow Member States to focus on the UN-mandated events and result in the efficient use of resources, especially for smaller Missions. In 2016, for instance, there were around 160 combined High-Level Meetings and side-events during the High-Level Week of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly.
Finally, we call for better coordination among the Main Committees, where appropriate, and a strengthened role of the General Committee led by the PGA, by consistently allowing non-Members of the GC to join meetings as Observers.
Co-Chairs,
The Philippines reiterates its commitment to engaging effectively and constructively with all Member States in order to ensure the success of the Ad Hoc Working Group on its important task to revitalize the work of the UN General Assembly.
Thank you.
[1] The Co-Chairs of the Working Group: El Salvador PR H.E. Ms. Egriselda Araceli González López and Slovakia PR H.E. Mr. Michal Mlynár