PHL engages in intl efforts to strengthen environmental protection
NAIROBI—The Philippines underlined its commitment to protect the environment at the first substantive session of the Ad-Hoc Open-Ended Working Group with the theme: “Toward the Global Pact for Environment [GPE]” at the United Nations office in Nairobi.
Head of the Philippine Delegation and Ambassador to Kenya Uriel Norman R. Garibay reiterated the country’s position that there already exists an integrative framework for bringing the global community’s work on the environment. He was referring to the 2030 Agenda on the Sustainable Development Goals, which bring together the social, economic and environmental spheres to support human development in a sustainable manner.
The ambassador underlined that the main concern is the delivery of commitments, anchored on the principle of “Common, but Differentiated Responsibilities.”
He also thanked UN SecretaryGeneral António Guterres for his AMBASSADOR to Kenya Uriel Norman R. Garibay underscored the Philippines’s commitment to the environment. report on the “Gaps in International Environmental Law and Environment-Related Instruments.”
Garibay nevertheless assured that the Philippines would meet the constructive engagement in the GPE process as he stated that the process cannot be rushed, and that the same should be transparent and consultative.
He also emphasized that the engagement of the Philippines in the process is with the understanding that there will be no renegotiations of already agreed principles and commitments, no disruption or distraction from the continuing implementation of existing international environment agreements, and no dilution or backtracking of existing internationally commitments on the protection of environment.
The other members of the Philippine delegation to the session included Minister Leila C. LoraSantos of the Philippine Mission to the UN in New York and May Ofrasio of the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi.