Ambassador Lagdameo Calls for Adherence to U.N. Charter, Peaceful Settlement of Disputes at Security Council

Permanent Representative Antonio M. Lagdameo reaffirms PH’s commitment to multilateralism at the UN Security Council. (Photo credit: UN Photo Library)

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK — Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo, called on all states to adhere to the UN Charter and underscored the importance of people-centered multilateralism at the UN Security Council Open Debate on “effective multilateralism through the defense of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”

“As a proud founding member of the United Nations, the Philippines reaffirms its commitment to the Charter of the United Nations, its principles, and firm adherence to the rule of law among nations. We reject any attempt to deny or redefine our common understanding of these principles.,” Ambassador Lagdameo stated.

Ambassador Lagdameo highlighted the Philippines’ contributions to upholding multilateralism through its own adherence to international law.

“With the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, we provided an example of how states should resolve their differences: through reason and through right,” Ambassador Lagdameo said.

Ambassador Lagdameo emphasized that the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes “remains as relevant as ever as we confront complex inter-related challenges to the rule of law and the UN Charter, including in the context of the New Agenda for Peace.”

On reform of the Security Council, Ambassador Lagdameo stated that “a reformed Council must be able to respond decisively and swiftly to twenty-first-century challenges and threats to international peace and security. It should highlight improved working methods aimed at greater participation of non-members.”

Ambassador Lagdameo concluded his intervention by stating that “Multilateralism will be effective if we adhere to the principles that we deeply cherish: non-aggression, non-interference, peaceful coexistence, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and equality and mutual benefit.”

Speaking at the Open Debate, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Effective multilateralism must include a commitment to tackle emerging challenges and fill gaps in global governance to achieve the Charter’s promise in the twentieth century,” and noted “that is the driving force behind my report on Our Common Agenda, including the proposed New Agenda for Peace.”

The UN Security Council Open Debate was convened by Russia as the President of the Council for the month of April. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov presided over the meeting. The Open Debate took place on the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, established by UN General Assembly in 2015.

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