NAIROBI—The Philippines strengthened its commitment to environmental protection at the Ad Hoc Open-Ended working group of the United Nations Office in Nairobi’s first substantive session entitled, “Towards the Global Pact for Environment [GPE].”
Head of the Philippine Delegation and Ambassador to Kenya Uriel Norman R. Garibay reiterated the country’s position, as he revealed that there already exists an integrative framework for bringing the global community’s work on the environment.
He referred to the 2030 Agenda on the sustainable development goals, which brings together the social, economic and environmental spheres supporting human development in a sustainable manner.
Garibay underscored that the main concern is the delivery of commitments, anchored on the principle on “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities” (CBDR).
He also thanked the UN secretary-general for his report on the Gaps in International Environmental Law and Environment-related Instruments.
The ambassador nevertheless assured that the Philippines will meet the constructive engagement in the GPE process, that the process cannot be rushed, and that the same should be transparent and consultative.
He also emphasized that the engagement of the Philippines in the process is with the understanding that there will be “no renegotiation of already agreed principles and commitments; no disruption or distraction from the continuing implementation of existing international environment agreements; and no dilution or backtracking of existing internationally commitments on the protection of environment.”
Other members of the Philippine delegation to the session included Minister Leila C. Lora-Santos of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York, and May Ofrasio of the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi. DFA
Image credits: enb.iisd.org