II THE PHILIPPINES AT UNESCO 2015-2017

II

THE PHILIPPINES AT UNESCO 2015-2017

In the tradition of strong Philippine engagement and women’s leadership in UNESCO, Ambassador Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Philippine Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, has continued to raise the profile of the Philippines in the Organization by serving as: * Chairperson, Asia-Pacific Group of Member States (Electoral Group IV) in 2014; * Chairperson, Group of 77 and China Paris Chapter in 2015; * Chairperson, ASEAN-UNESCO Committee in 2016; * Vice-Chairperson, World Heritage Committee in 2016; and Vice-President of the UNESCO General Conference in 2015 and 2017.

Figure 164. Ambassador Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro (center) chairs G77 and China Plenary Dialogue with UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova (second from left)

The Philippines won a seat on the prestigious UNESCO Executive Board during the 39th session of the General Conference of UNESCO in November 2017.

Represented by Ambassador Lazaro, the Philippines now serves as one of the 58 members of the Executive Board whose main functions are to examine the program of work and budget of UNESCO, and guide the Organization’s support to Member States in the implementation of relevant Sustainable Development Goals in education, culture, communication and information.

Figure 165. Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro (center) chairing the General Policy Debate of the 39th session of the UNESCO General Conference next to UNESCO Deputy Director-General Getachew Engida (2nd from left)

The Philippines last became a member of the Board during the period 2007–2011. Its re-election after a decade will increase the ability of the Philippines to shape the global agenda and programs of UNESCO, as well as enhance relations with UNESCO Member States, especially Pacific Island States.

During Ambassador Lazaro’s tenure, the Philippines was also elected to the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Committee, the Executive Council of the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the Intergovernmental Council of the Information for all Programme (IFAP), the Intergovernmental Council of the Management of Social Transformations (MOST) Programme, and the Headquarter Committee.

Figure 166. Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (Photo / Roy Ponce)

In 2014, the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee in Doha, Qatar inscribed Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary on the World Heritage List, becoming the Philippines’ 6th World Heritage site. The Philippines’ other World Heritage sites include the Cordillera Rice Terraces, Baroque Churches, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, Tubbataha Reefs, and the Historic City of Vigan.

Figure 167. Punnuk Tugging Ritual, Hungduan, Ifugao (Photo / Renato S. Rastrollo/NCCA)

In 2015, the 12th session of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee in Windhoek, Namibia inscribed tugging rituals in the Philippines, Cambodia, Viet Nam and Republic of Korea on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Philippines has two other elements inscribed on the ICH Representative List, namely, the Darangen Epic and the Hudhud Chants.

Figure 169. Report of the Group of 77 and UNESCO

In 2016, the 28th session of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) International Coordinating Council held in Lima, Peru approved Albay Province as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Puerto Galera and Palawan are recognized as the Philippines’ other Biosphere Reserves.

In addition, during its last year as member of the World Heritage Committee, the Philippines chaired discussions on the budget of the World Heritage Convention, which resulted in the adoption of a “Roadmap for the sustainability of the World Heritage Fund” at the 41st session of the Committee held in Krakow, Poland.

The Philippines likewise served as Vice-President and Co-Chair of the Open-Ended UNESCO Working Group on Governance which met over the course of the 2016–2017 biennium and developed recommendations to enhance transparency, inclusivity, effectiveness and efficiency of the Governing Bodies of UNESCO, including the General Conference, the Executive Board, and the various intergovernmental councils, programs and funds across the expanse of UNESCO’s mandates in education, science, culture, and communication, and information.

Notably, during Ambassador Lazaro’s Chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China Paris Chapter, the Group issued a special Declaration on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of UNESCO and adoption of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The Group also published a compilation of its statements delivered throughout the year entitled “The Group of 77 and UNESCO: Partners for Peace and Sustainable Development.”