According to United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez, relations between the Philippines and the UN have become more accessible under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.
“The dialogue and coordination with the government is happening in a more predictable manner. It’s great because it just shows we have a common agenda,” Gonzalez said.
“Accessibility of the United Nations to decision-makers here is remarkable. Every time we would like to have, we need to get to the highest level of decision-makers, let’s say, it’s quite easy here. And this we can compare with other countries, neighboring countries, all countries in the region. So accessibility here is a distinct element of Filipino institutionality,” he added.
As the UN celebrates its founding anniversary on October 24, Gonzalez noted the presence of organic dialogue within the Philippine government, including an agreed coordination mechanism, established reporting on results, and a follow-up system.
“We see in this administration a genuine global ambition, a genuine global expectation,” Gonzalez said.
Since the signing of the first UN Cooperation Framework between the UN and the Philippines in 2023, Gonzalez, along with other UN agency representatives, has reported significant progress in their engagements with the Philippine government.
Dr. Leila Joudane, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said that nearly 20 UN agencies are working under the framework’s first strategic priority. Meanwhile, Edwine Carrie, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), outlined the UN’s climate action efforts in the Philippines.
