Cayetano to deliver Duterte’s message at UN General Assembly

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano is scheduled to address the United Nations on Saturday to deliver President Rodrigo Duterte’s message for the international community to unite against terrorism, nuclear weapons, and other common threats.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Cayetano’s participation in this year’s UN General Assembly Session is his first appearance in the world stage since he assumed the top foreign affairs post last June.

Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Teodoro Locsin, Jr. said Cayetano’s statement is expected to touch on the need to address the threats posed by the Islamic State and the continuing missile test launches and detonations by North Korea.

Ambassador Locsin said Cayetano will also share with other UN member-states the efforts being undertaken by the Philippine government to protect the rights and promote the welfare of Filipino migrant workers as well as the ongoing campaign against criminality and illegal drugs.

In addition to the various events at the UN Headquarters, Ambassador Locsin said the foreign affairs secretary will also have bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Belgium, Colombia, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Morocco, Norway, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, and the Vatican.

At the same time, Ambassador Locsin said Secretary Cayetano will attend the 4th ASEAN Pacific Alliance Foreign Ministers Meeting; the 41st Annual Meeting for Foreign Ministers of the Group of 77; and the ASEAN-Mercosur Foreign Ministers Meeting.