The Philippines welcomed the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) adoption of the resolution titled, “Mandate creation, implementation and review for an efficient and effective United Nations.”
This resolution marks a critical step forward in the UN80 Initiative, a suite of institutional reforms designed to modernize the UN’s response to 21st-century global challenges.
Developed by the Informal Ad Hoc Working Group on Mandate Implementation Review (IAHWG)—co-chaired by the Permanent Representatives of Jamaica and New Zealand—the resolution establishes clear principles and concrete proposals to streamline how UN mandates are managed.
The Philippines played a proactive role in the drafting process, ensuring the perspectives of developing nations were central to the reform. Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) Jesus Enrique G. Garcia II emphasized that while efficiency is paramount, it must not come at the cost of service delivery.
“The Philippines supports this resolution as a foundational guide for a more effective UN,” stated DPR Garcia. “However, we must ensure the UN maintains its vital capacity to support developing countries on the ground, while strictly respecting the sovereign rights of Member States to propose initiatives and lead decision-making on mandates.”
Key pillars of the resolution:
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Operational Excellence: Modernizing the lifecycle of UN mandates from creation to review.
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The UN80 Vision: Supporting the Secretary-General’s March 2025 reform package to bolster the organization’s agility.
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Sovereign Integrity: Ensuring reforms empower Member States rather than limiting their initiative.
The Philippines’ active engagement in this process underscores its enduring commitment to meaningful UN reform and its role as a constructive partner in shaping an international body that is fit for the future.
