22 September 2005,United Nations, New York – In a speech that contained his personal recollections and reflections on the critical role that was played by the Philippine in the founding of the United Nations, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo today called on the members of the UN to build a better UN for a better world.

Speaking before the Plenary Meeting of the 60th Session of the UN General Assembly, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo recalled that 60 years ago, the UN was founded by a world “scarred from war and stunned by mankind’s capacity for death and destruction” and that “failure was not an option.  Our common humanity demanded that we build a better and peaceful world.” (The Secretary’s statement is available at www.dfa.gov.ph)

He also recalled that General Carlos P. Romulo, the head of the Philippine Delegation, articulating hopes of mankind said then at the United Nations: “LET US MAKE THIS FLOOR THE LAST BATTLEFIELD.”

The Secretary said that 60 years after the birth of the UN, the struggle continues for developing nations to enjoy freedom from fear, freedom from want and freedom to live in dignity.

“The clear challenge facing the United Nations at its inception, and particularly the developing nations, was to ensure that freedom from want, freedom from fear and freedom to pursue human dignity would be at the heart of the political independence of states.  Sixty years after San Francisco, we continue to face the challenge of freeing all our peoples from want and from fear, and allowing them the true dignity that they deserve as independent nations,” the Secretary said.

“The fight for the political and legal independence of states may be over, but the fight to win for all peoples their freedom from fear, want and pursue human dignity continues,” the Secretary emphasized.

He said that to win this fight “we should let the broad vision of our common humanity inspire us all to work towards a stronger United Nations for a better world.”

“The world is faced by the problem of unbridled spiraling of oil prices. International cooperation on energy is increasingly becoming an imperative as the capacity and capability of countries, particularly non-oil producing developing countries, to meet their development objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals, are affected,” the Secretary pointed out.

He said, “The Philippines has proposed the consideration of a debt-conversion scheme including ‘debt-for-equity’ or debt-for-MDG project. The scheme calls for the conversion of 50% of the debt service and/or principal value of the debt into equity for MDG projects of at least equal value with an income earning potential.”

The Secretary clarified “Debt for development projects can focus on areas that would achieve MDG benchmarks such as hospitals and health care; schools, classrooms, information technology; clean water; electricity; reforestation; eco-tourism and others. “

On migration, the Secretary said, “The nexus between development and international migration cannot be overlooked. Migration brings challenges and opportunities to countries of origin, destination and transit. This is another multi-faceted issue that requires international cooperation to be addressed in a coordinated and coherent manner.”

On the fight against terrorism and building a culture of peace, the Secretary said that the Philippine experience has shown the value of dialogue. “The Philippines wants to share this positive value of dialogue and therefore has taken the lead in drawing attention to the need for interfaith dialogue as an integral part of the promotion of the culture of peace,” the Secretary said.

President Arroyo recently convened a successful informal summit on interfaith dialogue and cooperation.  The Summit adopted a declaration calling for greater inter-religious, inter-cultural and inter-civilizational dialogue and cooperation to ensure a lasting and durable peace and understanding at the global, regional and national levels.

On the reform of the United Nations, the Secretary pointed out “For sixty years, the United Nations has provided us the forum to draw up norms of conduct that takes on board all our concerns. From its inception with 50 member countries in 1945, the membership has almost quadrupled to its present 191 states. “

He added, “It is clear that in pursuing our shared interest to preserve our common humanity, the United Nations continues to serve as our indispensable tool.  It is therefore also our shared interest to strengthen it. The Philippines proposes that we follow the principle that the form follows the substance in strengthening the key structures of the UN system.”

Recalling the negotiations that led to the adoption of the UN Charter, the Secretary noted that “even before San Francisco, some key decisions had already been reached among the major powers, primarily on the power of the veto, or what was referred to then as the ‘unanimity rule’.”

He then pointed out “Our delegation, in concert with others, pressed for an increased role for the General Assembly and for limits on the use of the veto.  We felt that this was the balance necessary to safeguard the effectiveness of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security.”

The Secretary then emphasized “We also urged wider and more equitable representation in the Security Council – an aspiration which has yet to achieve realization, and thus an advocacy which my country carries to this day.”

In his speech, the Secretary also proposed specific practical measures to “ensure that the principles committed to by our leaders at this year’s Summit, be implemented effectively and efficiently.”

In adopting practical measures and in discovering new opportunities and addressing new threats, the Secretary said “we must be mindful of the old hopes and enduring dreams that led to the birth of our United Nations. “

In closing his address before the General Assembly, the Secretary recalled the pride that he felt as he and his family monitored negotiations in San Francisco 60 years ago.
“As a child, I listened with all innocence, as my family closely followed the work of the Philippine Delegation in San Francisco. I felt proud that my nation, the Benjamin among the founders, was part of this historic event,” the Secretary said.

As a nation devastated by war, we placed great hope in the United Nations.  I still remember the words that made us dare to dream of a better, more peaceful world.  Words heard by a child through the crackle and static of an old radio, words spoken by General Carlos P. Romulo in addressing the delegates in San Francisco in 1945:

“Words are more powerful than guns in the defense of human dignity.  Treaties are stronger than armamented boundaries.
The only impregnable line is that of human understanding.”