V AREAS OF CONTINUING COOPERATION

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AREAS OF CONTINUINg COOPERATION

With the rise of violent extremism and deliberate attacks on cultural heritage, there remain opportunities for the Philippines and France to extend their cooperation at the multilateral level through UNESCO and the United Nations for mutual benefit to address challenges to global solidarity.

TERRORISM AND COMBATING EXTREMISM

The Philippines and France are actively engaged in counterterrorism, responding resolutely to threats in their respective countries and regions.

In partnership with UNESCO, the Philippines hosted a workshop on Dealing with the DarkNet: Measures to Prevent Violent Extremism in February 2018 which encouraged military, law enforcement, and other national stakeholders to develop comprehensive policy and program responses. The Philippines is enhancing cooperation with UNESCO and other United Nations agencies on the Prevention of Violent Extremism.

The fight against terrorism remains a top priority for France at the United Nations. In July 2017, France welcomed the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2368 which defined the criteria for inclusion on the list of people and entities associated with terrorist organizations and underscored the importance of fighting money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Subsequently, France hosted an international conference on combating the financing of terror groups in April 2018, attended by 80 countries and nearly 500 experts, which adopted a declaration encouraging improvement of mechanisms to effectively collect, exchange and process financial intelligence.

In the field of human rights, as described above, the Philippines and France have historically supported the promulgation of international human rights treaties. They were also founding members of the Human Rights Council in 2006.

The Philippines served as the facilitator of the Human Rights Council’s rules of procedure and working methods which formed an integral part of the institution-building package adopted by Member States. The Philippines is currently a member of the Council and serves as Vice-President for the Asia-Pacific region.

With human rights as one of its founding principles, France maintains a policy of engaging actively in the work of the Human Rights Council. France plays an active role in the adoption of United Nations resolutions and undertakings which protect and promote the rights of women and children, especially those who are affected by armed conflict and victims of human trafficking.

The Philippines shares this advocacy as lead sponsor of United Nations and Human Rights Council resolutions on combating trafficking in persons and as initiator of the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially in Women and Children signed by ASEAN leaders in November 2015.

MIGRATION

The Philippines and France recognize that legal and safe migration wherein the rights of migrants are fully respected contributes to the economic and social development of countries of origin and destination. Both states are supporters of the International Organization for Migration and the recently concluded Global Compact on Migration.

PEACE-KEEPING

The Philippines and France demonstrate their enduring commitment to peace and security through support for United Nations Peace Keeping Operations (UNPKOs).

Since 1963, the Philippines has consistently played an important role in UNPKOs with Filipino peacekeepers serving in 16 countries and territories. As of September 2017, 840 French uniformed

personnel were taking part in peacekeeping operations. France is also the fifth top contributor for PKOs, providing 6.29% of the total budget for 2017-2018.

With the past 70 years as reference, we can always be hopeful that when the Philippines and France join their efforts for the common good, the results shall often be far-reaching, profound and historic.

CHAPTER NOTES

1 The UNESCO preamble states “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”.

2 Excerpt from Official Records of the UNESCO London Conference, page 133.

3 Malacanang Presidential Museum and Library from https://www.flickr.com/ photos/govph/sets/72157658746879360/with/21136488333/ accessed on 05 February 2018.

4 Excerpt from Report of Working Group of UN Commission on Human Rights E/CN.4/57 page 5.

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CROSSINg CULTURES: FILLINg gAPS AND BRIDgINg PEOPLE