Philippine leads UN international law panel

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines formally assumed as chair of one of the main committees of the United Nations dealing with legal questions and the codification and progressive development of international law.

Ambassador Enrique Manalo, permanent representative of the Philippine mission to the United Nations, has assumed his role as chair of the Sixth Committee (Legal) of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In his opening statement, Manalo cited the Sixth Committee’s mandate.

“The role of the Sixth Committee and its authority among Main Committees is unique, as is the significance of international law for the achievement of the goals of the United Nations,” he said.

In the preamble of the Charter, Manalo said the Peoples of the United Nations reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and the determination of this Organization to establish conditions under which justice and respect for international law can be maintained.

“In the pursuance of its lofty goals, the General Assembly has always relied on the diligent work and expertise of the Sixth Committee,” he said.

Manalo expressed his gratitude to the member states for their confidence in electing him as chair. 

“It is a great honor and privilege for me personally and for my country, the Philippines, and is in line with our long-standing commitment to the rule of law,” he said.

The Philippines’s chairpersonship of the legal committee takes place as the Charter of the UN marks its 80th anniversary. 

Manalo emphasized that the Sixth Committee’s work takes place at a crucial time for multilateralism, with international law under strain amid global challenges. 

“At times of increased challenges, our work gains a heightened importance and our commitment to delivering its mandate should gain a renewed focus,” he said, urging delegations to uphold the committee’s cherished tradition of consensus-building and cooperation.

During the opening session, the committee adopted its program of work for the session, which includes 34 agenda items, and established three Working Groups – on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism and Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters (PPED).

The Working Group on PPED, which is relevant to a treaty process in relation to disasters, is of particular interest to the Philippines. The Working Group is mandated to prepare a consolidated text of a draft treaty, based on the International Law Commission’s draft articles on PPED and proposals submitted by member states, with a view to advancing the committee’s consideration of the topic. 

The committee also confirmed that the Philippines will continue to chair the Working Group on PPED, which aims to advance work on a treaty on disasters.

The Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York said the Philippines’ chairpersonship of the Sixth Committee and the PPED Working Group underscores the country’s continuing commitment to promoting the rule of law, and in upholding the mandate of the United Nations toward codification and progressive development of international law under the UN Charter.