United Nations, New York, 20 March 2004 – The Philippines will continue to take an active part in
 ongoing efforts to revitalize the United Nations and make it more attuned to present-day realities, Foreign
 Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today assured the President of the UN General Assembly.

 “The Philippines takes its responsibility seriously as a charter member of the UN and as a non-permanent
 member of the Security Council and will remain a prime proponent for UN reforms,” Secretary Albert told Mr.
 Julian Robert Hunte, President of the 58th UN General Assembly and former Foreign Minister of Saint Lucia.

 President Hunte underscored the important contribution of the Philippines, which he said, is among the
member countries actively participating in the ongoing discussions on procedural and structural reforms in
 the UN.  He cited as an example the contribution of Ambassador Baja during the Philippine chairmanship of
 the Sixth (Legal) Committee of the 58th UN General Assembly last year.

 “The Philippines continues to believe in the important and central role of the United Nations in
 international development, peace and security.  Every effort must be taken to help ensure that the UN
 remains an effective and meaningful organization and the Philippines will continue to remain a part of
 these efforts,” the Secretary said after her meeting with President Hunte.

 The Secretary had a 45-minute meeting with President Hunte during her visit to the UN Headquarters on
 Friday.  The Secretary was accompanied by Permanent Representative Lauro L. Baja, Jr., Undersecretary for
 Migrant Workers Affairs Jose S. Brillantes, Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Ariel Y. Abadilla,
 Deputy Permanent Representative Bayani Mercado, Minister Counsellor Leslie Gatan, and Third Secretary
 Elmer Cato. END.