The Philippines won its bid for a seat in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board in elections held in Paris, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced today.
In a statement, the DFA said the successful Philippine bid was made possible by the support of 157 member-states who voted for it during the 39th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris.
“We would like to express our deep appreciation to our friends in the international community for again electing us to the UNESCO Executive Board after more than a decade,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said in a statement from Vietnam where is attending the 29th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.
“Our election is a recognition by member-states of the steady progress we have made in promoting the comprehensive human development of our people in the fields of education, science, culture, communication and information,” Secretary Cayetano added.
The Philippines will now serve as one of the 58 members of the Executive Board whose main functions are to examine the programme of work and budget of UNESCO, and guide the Organization’s support to Member States in the implementation of relevant Sustainable Development Goals in education, culture, communication and information.
Ambassador Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, said the successful election outcome augurs well for the Philippines, as it reflects the support and confidence of the international community, despite certain negative perceptions from some quarters on the situation in the Philippines.”
“We received recognition that we play a constructive role in UNESCO. We warmly thank all Member States that expressed this belief in the Philippines and aim to work closely with them for mutual benefit and the objectives of UNESCO,” Ambassador Lazaro said.
As a member of the Executive Board, the Philippines shall work to enhance the capacity of Member States, particularly developing countries in order to achieve sustainable development and lasting peace and security. The Philippines would also continue work on improving the efficiency and governance procedure of the Organization.
The Philippines last became a member of the Executive Board during the period 2007-2011. Its re-election to the Board, after more than a decade, will increase the ability of the Philippines to shape the UNESCO agenda and programs, as well as enhance relations with UNESCO Member States, specifically Pacific Island States. (DFA-PR)