Should these negotiations between the Philippines and China take place during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York later this month, foreign affairs secretary Enrique Manalo is ready to represent the country.
Responding to questions on who will represent Manila at the prestigious event, Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez, Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Manalo’s participation is meant to be concentrated on major worldwide and local issues including continuous territorial conflicts in the West Philippine Sea.
These talks will take place among the mounting territorial claim dispute between China and the Philippines. The Philippines intends to seize this chance to stress its dedication to peaceful resolutions, protection of international law, and encouragement of multilateral collaboration since the UNGA offers a vital arena for participating in diplomacy and conversation on a range of world concerns. Marcos chooses to cut back on trips overseas and concentrate on home issues.
Driven by his urgent need to concentrate on home affairs, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has chosen to restrict his international travel for the next year. Romualdez believes that internal affairs—including issues with infrastructure development, national security, and continuous efforts at economic recovery—will now take front stage in the President’s agenda.
Marcos went to various large events, including the 2022 UNGA, when he spoke before the assembly unlike in former years as the first head of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Secretary Manalo will thus be representing the nation leading because the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) also confirmed the absence of the President from the UNGA this year.
Emphasizing the need of peace, cooperation, and respect of the UN Charter, PCO Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez said Manalo would help to convey the Philippines’ point of view on several global concerns.
Active participation of Philippines in UNGA
Even if the President won not be there, the attendance of the UNGA by the Philippines remains highly significant. Marcos focused on the objectives of his government—especially in foreign policy, regional security, and climate change action—considering the worldwide scene for 2022.
Considered as essential in questioning the Philippines’s stance on pertinent world events, his address was Manalo is now filling in for him; so, the nation will keep actively participating in the international conversation to guarantee that issues and interests of its people have first priority. Manalo appears not new on the UNGA website.
Attending conferences endorsing the diplomatic operations of the Philippines to handle regional and global issues, he portrayed President Marcos in 2023. His knowledge of foreign diplomacy and experience as Foreign Affairs Secretary help him to handle the difficult problems the assembly is supposed to raise.
The Philippines is most likely to concentrate on topics such sustainable development, climate change, and peacekeeping in accordance with the global agenda thereby enhancing its own national interests. Manalo’s involvement will also be rather significant in supporting the demand of the country for a peaceful resolution of problems following international law and so reflecting its position on the controversy involving the West Philippine Sea.
Managing regional conflicts, bilateral China talks Bilateral discussions with China represent among the most anticipated events on Manalo’s UNGA tour. Given the growing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where China’s massive territorial claims have collided with the Philippines’ attempts to defend her sovereign rights, these talks are absolutely vital.
Underlining the worldwide consequences of the conflict, the Philippines is one of twenty nations showing interest in interacting with China on UNGA fringes. Ambassador Romualdez claims that Manila’s main goal in these negotiations is basically to keep on trying to reduce regional tensions. Maintaining a continuous diplomatic posture, the Philippines routinely plans protests against China’s illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea.
Though these demonstrations have not been sufficient to stop China from militarizing such islands and punishing Filipino fishermen, hence promoting hostile conduct. Manila is resolute to deliver to Beijing a clear message: the Philippines is not by itself denouncing China’s “dangerous actions” in the area.
Other countries worried about China’s activities in the South China Sea, a vital channel for world trade and security, wish the government to inspire support from elsewhere. Working with these nations, the Philippines seeks to present a united position against any behavior violating international law, especially with reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Continuous Arbitral Ruling Defiance from China
The Philippines won their action before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016, therefore invalidating China’s broad assertions in the South China Sea. China has kept violating international law and the rights of neighboring nations by using the disputed territory notwithstanding this historic decision.
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Apart from local problems, this noncompliance has resulted in military threat. In the next bilateral negotiations between China and the Philippines, direct handling of these problems offers a great possibility. Apart from looking for solutions to lower the likelihood of further deaths at sea, the administration aims to encourage conformity to the 2016 ruling.
Although diplomatic protests are important, they have not been enough to influence China’s actions, hence President Marcos has advocated a more forceful response. UN GA bilateral talks are meant to be made possible by this more ambitious strategy.
Developing diplomatic initiatives and regional alliances
The Philippines would most likely grab the chance to emphasize the need of communication and cooperation in order to end the conflict, even if clearly showing that any settlement must respect international law and the sovereignty of every involved nation.
Apart from bilateral exchanges with China, the Philippines is anticipated to strengthen its regional connections during the UNGA. Apart from a bilateral concern between the Philippines and China, the West Philippine Sea conflict covers other Southeast Asian nations with overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
Other nations including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei have all voiced worries over China’s actions in the area. The Philippines has a terrific venue to interact with these nations and look at new joint projects thanks to the UNGA. Stronger regional ties will help the Philippines to increase diplomatic action and present a united face against any attempt to breach the sovereignty of countries in Southeast Asia.
Manalo will be seeing powerful friends including Australia, Japan, and the United States—all of whom have supported the Philippines in its struggle with China—along with visiting the UNGA. These countries have insisted on keeping their freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea as well as peaceful resolution of issues using international law.
Pushing for Peaceful Resolutions and Multilateral Solutions
Philippines’ UNGA participation will at last show its dedication to multilateral diplomacy and peaceful resolutions. The nation has always encouraged the use of international law and diplomacy in the resolution of disputes; so, this message would be rather relevant for the assembly participation.
From regional security concerns to climate change and sustainable development, Manalo’s statement at the UNGA is meant to underline the Philippines’ need of more effective cooperation in handling international challenges. Through UNGA participation, the nation reflects its larger overall foreign policy goal of safeguarding national interests and so fostering world peace and stability.
Clearly, the UNGA will represent a turning point in UNGA diplomatic activities as the Philippines prepares ready for these vital sessions. The nation is resolute to retain its sovereignty and establish a rules-based international order whether via bilateral negotiations with China or multilateral activities comprising regional and global allies.
