THE United Nations recently hosted a local commemoration of its 73rd anniversary with a cultural program and reception at the SM Aura Premier-Samsung Hall.
A joint partnership among the UN mission in the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs and SM, the event highlighted the strong cooperation between the government and the world body in the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the contribution of “change makers” in achieving such.
UN-Philippines Resident Coordinator Ola Almgren and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo led the festivities, which gathered top government officials, UN agency heads and members of the local diplomatic corps.
Almgren paid tribute to the contributions of the Philippines to the UN, and added that he looked forward to future collaborations.
On the other hand, Manalo highlighted the Philippines’s major contributions in the work of the UN in the areas of migration, SDGs, climate change, human rights and peacekeeping.
The Philippines is a strong advocate for the achievement of the 17 SDGs of the 2030 UN Agenda: (1) No Poverty; (2) Zero Hunger; (3) Good Health and Well-being; (4) Quality Education; (5) Gender Equality; (6) Clean Water and Sanitation; (7) Affordable and Clean Energy; (8) Decent Work and Economic Growth; (9) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; (10) Reduced Inequality;
(11) Sustainable Cities and Communities; (12) Responsible Consumption and Production; (13) Climate Action; (14) Life Below Water; (15) Life on Land; (16) Peace and Justice, Strong Institutions; and (17) Partnerships to Achieve the Goal.
The program, hosted by SDGs advocate and actress Antoinette Taus, featured performances from Filipino folk musical group Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino or Kontra-GaPi, Silly People’s Improv Theater and the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra.