6 July 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today briefed the diplomatic community on Philippine foreign policy activities last June, highlighting the successful Philippine Presidency of the United Nations Security Council.  During the open forum after the briefing, a number of diplomats congratulated the Philippines and Secretary Albert’s leadership for the Philippine Security Council Presidency, particularly the Thematic Debate on “the Role of Civil Society and Post-Conflict Peace-Building” which Secretary Albert chaired.  A number of diplomats also approached the Secretary after the briefing, to offer similar congratulations.

The diplomatic briefing today included the following : 31st Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, Istanbul, 14-16 June 2004; 37th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting/Post-Ministerial Conference/11th ASEAN Regional Forum Jakarta, 29 June - 2 July 2004; and, the Presidency of the UN Security Council, New York, 1-30 June 2004.

During the briefing, the Secretary said that the Presidency of the Philippines was marked by “five important resolutions, including Res. 1546 on return of Iraq sovereignty, five Presidential statements, a historic thematic debate, the preservation of the unity of UNSC and close consultations and bilateral meetings with UNSG and UNGA President.”

“In the Security Council, the Philippines presided over the unanimous adoption of the resolution that paved the way for the return of Iraq’s sovereignty to its people and for the central role of the United Nations in the future of Iraq.  I personally presided over the historic consideration of the Philippine theme for its Presidency, namely “The Role of Civil Society in Post-Conflict Peace-Building.”

“This is historic because for the first time, civil society was allowed to join in the deliberations.  In the words of the French representative to the Security Council, ‘This is a first insofar as the topic is concerned and because you have taken the initiative, for the first time in the history of the Council, to ask the representatives of two eminent non-governmental organizations to participate in our deliberations.’ We invited the Secretary General of CARE International and the Vice President of the International Center for Transitional Justice,” Secretary Albert said.

The Secretary also briefed the diplomatic community on her participation in the recent OIC ministerial meeting in Istanbul.  “I was in Istanbul to continue to mainstream our relations with Islamic countries and pursued our bid for Observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference.  In Istanbul, we were warmly received and our relations with Islamic countries grew even stronger. May I say how much we appreciate the invitation extended to my delegation by Turkey, the host country. Our bid received a major boost and we are looking forward to working with the OIC experts group that will be formed by the new Turkish Secretary General of the OIC to study the criteria for admitting new members and observers,” the Secretary said.

On ASEAN, the Secretary said that “In Jakarta, we joined other ASEAN members in our 37th Ministerial Meeting and related meetings. In ASEAN, the Philippines continued to push its initiative for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community and received ASEAN’s endorsement for the basic core elements, namely, building a community of caring societies, managing the social impact of economic integration, promoting environmental sustainability and strengthening regional identity.  The Plan of Action will be adopted by ASEAN Leaders during the 10th ASEAN Summit in November 2004 in Vientiane, Laos.”

The Secretary also said that she was particularly pleased and honored to have been able to sign the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women in the ASEAN region. “This is a declaration that fully supports our national efforts to eliminate violence against women and protect the rights of women,” the Secretary said.

“June was a very busy and challenging, but certainly fulfilling month for Philippine foreign policy,” the Secretary told the gathered diplomats in her closing statement. END.