BANGKOK, 25 APRIL 2025 — The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and sustainable development during the 81st Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), from 21 to 25 April 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The session brought together leaders and senior officials from across the region under the theme, “Regional cooperation for resilient and sustainable urban development in Asia and the Pacific.”
UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana (center) called on countries to implement resilient and sustainable urban policies, invest in infrastructure and green spaces, and foster greater participation in urban planning (Photocredit: ESCAP)
Ambassador Millicent Cruz Paredes, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to UNESCAP, led the Philippine delegation in high-level discussions to galvanize support for stronger multilateral and regional cooperation on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Philippines took part in three key sessions that tackled current and emerging challenges to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The country also served as Vice Chair, guiding the deliberations on ESCAP’s various work programmes on SDGs.
Throughout the 81st Commission session, the Philippines raised its concrete efforts to accelerate SDG implementation in the country. Ambassador Paredes highlighted the administration’s flagship initiatives such as the Build Better More infrastructure program and the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino housing initiative, which contribute to building more sustainable, connected, and inclusive cities.
Ambassador Millicent Cruz Paredes noted the important role of multilateral development banks in accelerating sustainable development and encouraged them to find solutions for reducing debt stress and to extend concessional financing to developing countries (Photocredit: ESCAP)
As incoming Chair of ASEAN in 2026, the Philippines stressed the importance of partnerships in advancing sustainable development in Southeast Asia. The Philippines welcomed the collaboration between ESCAP and ASEAN through the Complementarities Initiative, which aligns the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Philippines supported ASEAN’s continued collaboration with ESCAP and the broader UN system to accelerate SDG implementation in ASEAN (Photocredit: ESCAP)
The Philippine delegation also expressed strong solidarity with, and called for, tailored and inclusive support for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The Philippine delegation urged greater action to address the challenges of LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDs in climate adaptation (Photocredit: ESCAP)
In recognition of its active and constructive engagement in ESCAP, the Philippines chaired the agenda item on the Review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The Philippines facilitated deliberations on the progress and future direction of ESCAP’s efforts on sustainable development.
ESCAP Member States discussed regional cooperation in Energy, Transportation, ICT, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Trade, Investment and Innovation, among others (Photocredit: ESCAP)
Lastly, the Philippines co-organized, alongside the UK, Malaysia, and the ESCAP Secretariat, a high-level side event on “Building Green Cities Through Regional Cooperation on Foreign Direct Investment.” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Board of Investments Governor Marjorie O. Ramos-Samaniego noted the potential of the ASEAN Green Investment Catalyst (AGIC) in supporting ASEAN’s green transition.
Board of Investments Governor Marjorie O. Ramos-Samaniego (right) shares the Philippines’ national efforts to promote a green transition (Photocredit: ESCAP)
In her closing remarks, Ambassador Paredes emphasized the importance of mobilizing green finance through strategic partnerships. She looked forward to the development of projects supported by the ASEAN Green Investment Catalyst (AGIC) and the development of an innovative investor-matching tool to connect ASEAN’s green growth potential with global capital.
The Philippine delegation concluded its participation in the 81st ESCAP Session with a renewed commitment to regional solidarity for the SDGs and to the middle-income countries agenda, as well as underlined the Philippines’ resolve to be a constructive partner in shaping a more equitable and sustainable Asia-Pacific. END
