SECRETARY-GENERAL HAILS ENDURING COOPERATION, PARTNERSHIP

 

BETWEEN UNITED NATIONS, PHILIPPINES

 

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at a dinner hosted by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Philippines, in Manila today, 29 October:

Let me thank you for hosting this dinner in my honour.  This is a wonderful way to round off a very successful visit.

This trip reaffirmed for us the great contributions the Philippines is making to the world.  Your country is one of the strongest supporters of the United Nations and international diplomacy.

We share common aspirations.  Your strong commitment to the Millennium Development Goals is inspiring.  You have shown remarkable leadership on climate change.  Indeed, the numerous alternative energy projects in which the Philippines has invested is one of the highest among countries at a similar level of development.

The Philippines is also a strong contributor to United Nations peacekeeping.  Nearly 700 Philippine military and police personnel are currently serving the cause of peace under the United Nations blue flag.

I would also like to thank the Government and people of the Philippines for hosting the second Global Forum on Migration and Development.  We had very useful discussions today.  At a time of economic difficulties, many countries may be tempted to clamp down on migration.  But migration remains beneficial to countries of origin and countries of destination, and to migrants themselves.  It can also be a positive force for cross-cultural understanding.

Indeed, I know the Philippines has been very engaged on the question of interfaith relations, and I commend you for that commitment.  Your cooperation with Pakistan is setting an important example.  I also thank you for offering to host the Special Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue for Cooperation and Development next year.

For these reasons and more, I am confident the United Nations will continue to be able to count on the Philippines as an enduring partner in facing a wide array of complex global challenges.  Allow me to raise my glass; to the partnership between the Philippines and the United Nations, past, present and future.  Thank you very much.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! [Long live the Philippines!]

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For information media • not an official record