by Daneil Anthony N. Cerdeña || Photo Credit: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

On September 21, 2022, the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., represented the Philippines by speaking at the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“Climate change is the greatest threat affecting our nations and peoples. There is no other problem so global in nature that it requires a united effort, one led by the United Nations,” he commented about the need for climate justice as a global issue.

Marcos also talked about how advanced technologies are rapidly transforming human life. “We still barely understand how these transformations are unfolding and where they are leading,” he explained. He then addressed how the multilateral system of the United Nations is slowly crumbling due to an international lack of trust.

“The Philippines shall continue to be a friend to all and an enemy of none,” he added.

Lastly, he highlighted the injustice the Philippines faced during the pandemic. Marcos brought to light the unfair vaccine distribution by saying it is “evident during this pandemic when the richer nations immediately received vaccines at the expense of the have-nots.”

After discussing with the United Nations General Assembly, he offered a solution for the nations under the United Nations to stand in solidarity. “We need to reaffirm the wisdom of the founders of our United Nations. This means transcending our differences and committing to ending the war, upholding justice, respecting human rights, and maintaining international peace and security,” he expressed.

Marcos demonstrated the potential of unity and solidarity by mentioning the success of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as the centerpiece of the said efforts. He expounded that the peace our country has achieved after decades of struggle between warring factions and clansmen shows that “unity is possible even in the most trying circumstances.”

“The peoples of the world look to their leaders, to us, to make into reality these aspirations for our future. We must not fail them. And if we stand together, we will not fail them. If we stand together, we can only succeed,” he remarked, concluding his speech.