PH supports stronger coop among developing countries

BUENOS AIRES – The Philippine government, through the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), committed to stronger collaboration with fellow developing countries as a United Nations conference celebrated the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (Bapa) for South-South cooperation.

Recognized as a pioneering effort, the Bapa is a blueprint that details approaches to development assistance, and emphasizes collective self-reliance among developing countries as a foundation for a new international economic order.

In September 1978, the Philippines was one of 138 countries to adopt the BAPA to promote and implement technical cooperation among developing countries.

“We will continue to provide assistance to our friends in the ASEAN and the larger Asia Pacific region. Moving forward, we will also enhance engagements with Latin America and Africa as much as our resources allow,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said.

Pernia led the Philippine delegation, composed of the Department of Foreign Affairs, NEDA, and the Philippine Statistics Authority, to the Second High-Level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation from March 20 to 22 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The High-Level Conference, which marks the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action, was held to review and enhance South-South and triangular cooperation.

“Four decades ago, our countries gathered here in Buenos Aires to affirm the value of mutual help and self-reliance. It was an outstanding triumph of solidarity over narrow self-interest in an environment then rife with ideological conflict. Today we look back to celebrate our successes even as we set a new direction for SouthSouth cooperation,” he added.