The 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly formally opens in New York on Tuesday with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano representing President Duterte in the annual event that brings together leaders from all over the world.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Secretary Cayetano will be addressing the General Assembly on Saturday to deliver President Duterte’s message for the international community to unite against terrorism, nuclear weapons and other common threats.
The DFA said Secretary Cayetano’s participation in this year’s UN General Assembly Session is his first appearance in the world stage since he assumed as Secretary of Foreign Affairs in June.
Philippine Permanent Representative Teodoro Locsin, Jr. said Secretary Cayetano’s statement is expected to touch on the need to address the threats posed by the Islamic State and the continuing missile test launches and detonations by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Ambassador Locsin said the Secretary will also share with other UN member-states the efforts being undertaken by the Philippine Government to protect the rights and promote the welfare of Filipino migrant workers as well as the ongoing campaign against criminality and illegal drugs.
In addition to the various events at UN Headquarters, Ambassador Locsin said the Secretary will also have bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Belgium, Colombia, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Morocco, Norway, Poland, the United Arab Emirates and the Vatican.
Ambassador Locsin said Secretary Cayetano will also attend the 4th ASEAN Pacific Alliance Foreign Ministers Meeting; the 41st Annual Meeting for Foreign Ministers of the Group of 77; and the ASEAN-Mercosur Foreign Ministers Meeting.
The Secretary will also host an informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and attend the group’s meeting with the President of the 72nd UN General assembly and the UN Secretary General.
Consul General Maria Theresa De Vega of the Philippine Consulate General in New York said Secretary Secretary Cayetano will also speak before the Asia Society and will be meeting with members of the Filipino Community. ### | DFA
