Noeleen Heyzer, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), today met with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for talks on a range of issues, including how the country is coping in the aftermath of a series of deadly storms, as well as on the region’s response to the current economic and financial crisis.
In their meeting at the Malaca?ang Palace, Dr. Heyzer complimented the President for her leadership in helping victims of the recent series of typhoons that struck the country and extended deep condolences to the Government and people of the Philippines for the loss of lives in those storms.
For her part, President Macapagal-Arroyo expressed her gratitude to the United Nations for its financial and technical support to the Government in the relief and recovery efforts.
Dr. Heyzer briefed the President on ESCAP’s role in coordinating the regional response to the economic and financial crisis, and complimented the President for her leadership in maintaining macroeconomic stability to lessen the effects of the crises.
In this connection, the Executive Secretary invited President Macapagal-Arroyo to the Ministerial Segment of ESCAP’s 66th Commission session next year, noting that the meeting will address emerging regional issues including the development of a stable and supportive financial architecture for development, promoting green growth initiatives and closing the development gaps in the Asia-Pacific region.
Dr. Heyzer also recognized the President’s efforts in advancing the cause of women, complimenting her on the recent passage of the Magna Carta of Women, a comprehensive women’s human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights of Filipino women, especially those in the marginalized sectors.
The Executive Secretary also invited the President to be the keynote speaker at ESCAP’s High-Level Intergovernmental Meeting to review Regional Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and its Regional and Global Outcomes, to be held from 16 to 18 November in Bangkok.
It was the first official visit to the Philippines by Dr. Heyzer as UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP.
For more information please contact:
Mr. Mitch Hsieh
UN/ESCAP Information Services
Tel: +66-2-288-1862
Email: [email protected]