14 September 2005, United Nations, New York – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today succeeded in adding her voice to the growing clamor for the United Nations to tackle head-on the critical issues of the rising cost of oil and the debilitating debt of developing countries, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo.

The Secretary said that during today’s United Nations High-Level Interactive Roundtable on Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear, Freedom to Live in Dignity and Strengthening of the United Nations, the President was able to present a powerful case behind the need for the United Nations to be more involved in addressing the pressing issues of energy security and debt.

“During her participating at the High-Level Interactive Roundtable, the President presented convincing arguments that I believe will contribute to the critical mass behind increasing efforts, particularly on the part of developing countries, to mainstream into the regular agenda of the United Nations the increasingly important issues of energy security and debt,” the Secretary said after the Roundtable meeting.

The Secretary added that the President’s advocacy of interfaith dialogue and cooperation was well received, as was the President’s call for greater attention to be paid to the rights of migrant workers.

“The President struck an important chord during the interactive roundtable meeting,” the Secretary said.  He added that based on the President’s vision and advocacy, “we in the Department will continue to pursue the President’s proposals and ideas.” END