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UNGA 77

Marcos says stability in Asia 'under threat,' calls for UN ideals to be upheld


President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Wednesday (PHL time) that the peace and stability in Asia is under threat due to ideological tensions, prompting him to call for the ideals of the United Nations (UN) to be upheld.

In his speech at the high level general debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York City, Marcos said the widening geopolitical polarities and sharpening strategic competitions have transformed the international political landscape.

"A profound lack of trust is putting enormous strains on our multilateral system. Our very Charter is being violated around the world as we speak. In Asia, our hard-won peace and stability is under threat by increasing strategic and ideological tensions," Marcos said.

"These behoove us to uphold the ideals that led to the establishment of this parliament of nations, and to reject any attempt to deny or redefine our common understanding of these principles," he added.

Marcos said the inequalities and inequities within and among countries continue to persist, and that "they continue to demand urgent action."

Speaking on behalf of millions of Filipinos before the UNGA, Marcos guaranteed the country's commitment to the ideals of the body. He emphasized that differences among nations should only be resolved through peaceful ways as he cited the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"By reinforcing the predictability and stability of international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, we provided an example of how states should resolve their differences: through reason and through right," said Marcos.

"These two contributions provide useful guidance for our time. For amidst the challenging global tides, an important ballast stabilizes our common vessel. That is, our open, inclusive, and rules-based international order that is governed by international law and informed by the principles of equity and of justice," he added.

Marcos also reiterated his administration's foreign policy that "the Philippines shall continue to be a friend to all, and an enemy of none."

Meanwhile, aside from his call for the UN ideals to be upheld, Marcos also urged other state leaders to move and shape the world's transformation.

"The future beckons and we can embark upon that journey as single nations or as a world in harmony. I say let the challenges of one people be the challenges for all nations.  And in that way the success of one will be a success for us all," Marcos said.

"The peoples of the world look to their leaders, to us, to make into reality these aspirations for our future. We must not fail them.  And if we stand together, we will not fail them. If we stand together, we can only succeed," he added.

Marcos left Manila on Sunday for a working visit to the US and will be back in the Philippines on September 24.

Earlier, he met with the Filipino community in New Jersey, then presented his administration's plan to boost the country's economy during the New York Stock Exchange Economic Forum. —BAP/KG, GMA News