Bangkok, 15 May 2023 - H.E. President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. was among the world leaders who virtually addressed the Seventy-Ninth (79th) Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which opened today at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, Thailand, under the theme “Accelerating climate action in Asia and the Pacific for sustainable development.”

“The global nature of climate change requires a truly united effort,” President Marcos underscored in his message. He also emphasized the need for the Asia Pacific region to create a comprehensive, coordinated, and people-centered approach to climate action in the region.

The annual ESCAP session is a forum for the 53 members and 9 associate members States of Asia and the Pacific to review and discuss economic and social issues and to strengthen regional cooperation.

Philippine Ambassador to Thailand and Permanent Representative to ESCAP, H.E. Millicent Cruz Paredes, led the Philippine delegation to the 79th Commission Session. She was also elected as one of the Vice-Chairs of the Session.

Joining the Ambassador in Bangkok were officials from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Commission on Population and Development, and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The Philippine delegation is completed by agencies participating virtually, including from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).

For more information on the 79th Commission Session, please visit the official website at https://www.unescap.org/events/commission79#. The Commission Session is live streamed on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fnn0hCLMxU END.