MANILA 31 January 2023 – More than 100 representatives from 40 national government agencies gathered for the Inter-Agency Briefing on the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDCF) hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of the United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO) at Makati Diamond Residence on 27 January 2023.
UNIO convened the briefing in preparation for negotiations on the new UNSDCF this year ahead of the expiry of the current cooperation framework in September 2023. The UNSDCF, formerly known as the Philippines-UN Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development (PFSD), is a nationally-driven agreement that guides country-level engagements between the Philippines and the UN.
The UNSDCF is crafted through a series of consultations between the Philippine government and the UN. During the consultation process, the Philippines and the UN identify development areas where the UN’s support is needed to help achieve the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“I urge all national government agencies to work closely together and play an active role in shaping this document,” said UNIO Assistant Secretary Kira Christianne D. Azucena. “The UNSDCF is more than just an agreement between the Philippines and the UN. It identifies areas where the capacities of the UN will have the greatest impact in achieving the Philippines’ development goals.”
In addition to the Assistant Secretary, other UNIO representatives also briefed the participants. Deputy Assistant Secretary Jesus Enrique G. Garcia II provided an overview of the UN System and the Philippines’ priorities in the UN while Desk Officer Glady Brojan and Acting Director Stacy Danika Alcantara-Garcia discussed the UN Development System and the UN Country Team, respectively. The briefing concluded with a comprehensive discussion on the negotiations process for the UNSDCF and the proposed areas for cooperation discussed by National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Chief Economic Development Specialist Calixto Mangilin Jr. and Assistant Secretary Sarah Lynne Daway-Ducanes.
Source: Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs