President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level General Debate on 22 September 2021, conveyed how governments could reconcile their obligation to their own citizens with their responsibility to the rest of humanity in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, worsening inequality and geopolitical instability. He strongly urged "privileged partners to fully support the COVAX facility and further strengthen other cooperation mechanisms" in order to "save more lives, break the cycle of variants and help ensure global economic recovery". He appealed for urgent climate action "especially from those that can truly tip the balance". He said that the Philippines accepts its share of responsibility and has thus submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution, with a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. He also reaffirmed the Philippine government's mandate and obligation to protect the Filipino people against criminals and other lawless elements as he instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police to review the conduct of the campaign against illegal drugs.He reiterated his call for the abolition of the kafala system which he described as a "behemoth that chains the weak, the desperate, and the voiceless to an existence of unimaginable suffering". In addition, the Philippines recently finalized with the United Nations a Joint Program on Human Rights. In line with the longstanding humanitarian tradition, the President announced that the Philippines has opened its door to Afghan nationals, especially women and children, fleeing from conflict. He instructed the DOJ to work with UN High Commissioner on Refugees to prepare a program to help a specified number of Rohingyas consistent with national capacity.He underscored that the Philippines is one with ASEAN and other stakeholders in ensuring that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, security, and prosperity. He is the first leader of a developing country from the Asia Pacific to speak at the 76th Session of the UNGA. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOS

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level General Debate on 22 September 2021, conveyed how governments could reconcile their obligation to their own citizens with their responsibility to the rest of humanity in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, worsening inequality and geopolitical instability. He strongly urged "privileged partners to fully support the COVAX facility and further strengthen other cooperation mechanisms" in order to "save more lives, break the cycle of variants and help ensure global economic recovery". He appealed for urgent climate action "especially from those that can truly tip the balance". He said that the Philippines accepts its share of responsibility and has thus submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution, with a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. He also reaffirmed the Philippine government's mandate and obligation to protect the Filipino people against criminals and other lawless elements as he instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police to review the conduct of the campaign against illegal drugs.He reiterated his call for the abolition of the kafala system which he described as a "behemoth that chains the weak, the desperate, and the voiceless to an existence of unimaginable suffering". In addition, the Philippines recently finalized with the United Nations a Joint Program on Human Rights. In line with the longstanding humanitarian tradition, the President announced that the Philippines has opened its door to Afghan nationals, especially women and children, fleeing from conflict. He instructed the DOJ to work with UN High Commissioner on Refugees to prepare a program to help a specified number of Rohingyas consistent with national capacity.He underscored that the Philippines is one with ASEAN and other stakeholders in ensuring that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, security, and prosperity. He is the first leader of a developing country from the Asia Pacific to speak at the 76th Session of the UNGA. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOS

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level General Debate on 22 September 2021, conveyed how governments could reconcile their obligation to their own citizens with their responsibility to the rest of humanity in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, worsening inequality and geopolitical instability. He strongly urged "privileged partners to fully support the COVAX facility and further strengthen other cooperation mechanisms" in order to "save more lives, break the cycle of variants and help ensure global economic recovery". He appealed for urgent climate action "especially from those that can truly tip the balance". He said that the Philippines accepts its share of responsibility and has thus submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution, with a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. He also reaffirmed the Philippine government's mandate and obligation to protect the Filipino people against criminals and other lawless elements as he instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police to review the conduct of the campaign against illegal drugs.He reiterated his call for the abolition of the kafala system which he described as a "behemoth that chains the weak, the desperate, and the voiceless to an existence of unimaginable suffering". In addition, the Philippines recently finalized with the United Nations a Joint Program on Human Rights. In line with the longstanding humanitarian tradition, the President announced that the Philippines has opened its door to Afghan nationals, especially women and children, fleeing from conflict. He instructed the DOJ to work with UN High Commissioner on Refugees to prepare a program to help a specified number of Rohingyas consistent with national capacity.He underscored that the Philippines is one with ASEAN and other stakeholders in ensuring that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, security, and prosperity. He is the first leader of a developing country from the Asia Pacific to speak at the 76th Session of the UNGA. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOS

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level General Debate on 22 September 2021, conveyed how governments could reconcile their obligation to their own citizens with their responsibility to the rest of humanity in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, worsening inequality and geopolitical instability. He strongly urged "privileged partners to fully support the COVAX facility and further strengthen other cooperation mechanisms" in order to "save more lives, break the cycle of variants and help ensure global economic recovery". He appealed for urgent climate action "especially from those that can truly tip the balance". He said that the Philippines accepts its share of responsibility and has thus submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution, with a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. He also reaffirmed the Philippine government's mandate and obligation to protect the Filipino people against criminals and other lawless elements as he instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police to review the conduct of the campaign against illegal drugs.He reiterated his call for the abolition of the kafala system which he described as a "behemoth that chains the weak, the desperate, and the voiceless to an existence of unimaginable suffering". In addition, the Philippines recently finalized with the United Nations a Joint Program on Human Rights. In line with the longstanding humanitarian tradition, the President announced that the Philippines has opened its door to Afghan nationals, especially women and children, fleeing from conflict. He instructed the DOJ to work with UN High Commissioner on Refugees to prepare a program to help a specified number of Rohingyas consistent with national capacity.He underscored that the Philippines is one with ASEAN and other stakeholders in ensuring that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, security, and prosperity. He is the first leader of a developing country from the Asia Pacific to speak at the 76th Session of the UNGA. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOS

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level General Debate on 22 September 2021, conveyed how governments could reconcile their obligation to their own citizens with their responsibility to the rest of humanity in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, worsening inequality and geopolitical instability. He strongly urged "privileged partners to fully support the COVAX facility and further strengthen other cooperation mechanisms" in order to "save more lives, break the cycle of variants and help ensure global economic recovery". He appealed for urgent climate action "especially from those that can truly tip the balance". He said that the Philippines accepts its share of responsibility and has thus submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution, with a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. He also reaffirmed the Philippine government's mandate and obligation to protect the Filipino people against criminals and other lawless elements as he instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police to review the conduct of the campaign against illegal drugs.He reiterated his call for the abolition of the kafala system which he described as a "behemoth that chains the weak, the desperate, and the voiceless to an existence of unimaginable suffering". In addition, the Philippines recently finalized with the United Nations a Joint Program on Human Rights. In line with the longstanding humanitarian tradition, the President announced that the Philippines has opened its door to Afghan nationals, especially women and children, fleeing from conflict. He instructed the DOJ to work with UN High Commissioner on Refugees to prepare a program to help a specified number of Rohingyas consistent with national capacity.He underscored that the Philippines is one with ASEAN and other stakeholders in ensuring that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, security, and prosperity. He is the first leader of a developing country from the Asia Pacific to speak at the 76th Session of the UNGA. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOS

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level General Debate on 22 September 2021, conveyed how governments could reconcile their obligation to their own citizens with their responsibility to the rest of humanity in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, worsening inequality and geopolitical instability. He strongly urged "privileged partners to fully support the COVAX facility and further strengthen other cooperation mechanisms" in order to "save more lives, break the cycle of variants and help ensure global economic recovery". He appealed for urgent climate action "especially from those that can truly tip the balance". He said that the Philippines accepts its share of responsibility and has thus submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution, with a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. He also reaffirmed the Philippine government's mandate and obligation to protect the Filipino people against criminals and other lawless elements as he instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police to review the conduct of the campaign against illegal drugs.He reiterated his call for the abolition of the kafala system which he described as a "behemoth that chains the weak, the desperate, and the voiceless to an existence of unimaginable suffering". In addition, the Philippines recently finalized with the United Nations a Joint Program on Human Rights. In line with the longstanding humanitarian tradition, the President announced that the Philippines has opened its door to Afghan nationals, especially women and children, fleeing from conflict. He instructed the DOJ to work with UN High Commissioner on Refugees to prepare a program to help a specified number of Rohingyas consistent with national capacity.He underscored that the Philippines is one with ASEAN and other stakeholders in ensuring that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, security, and prosperity. He is the first leader of a developing country from the Asia Pacific to speak at the 76th Session of the UNGA. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOS

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level General Debate on 22 September 2021, conveyed how governments could reconcile their obligation to their own citizens with their responsibility to the rest of humanity in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, worsening inequality and geopolitical instability. He strongly urged "privileged partners to fully support the COVAX facility and further strengthen other cooperation mechanisms" in order to "save more lives, break the cycle of variants and help ensure global economic recovery". He appealed for urgent climate action "especially from those that can truly tip the balance". He said that the Philippines accepts its share of responsibility and has thus submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution, with a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. He also reaffirmed the Philippine government's mandate and obligation to protect the Filipino people against criminals and other lawless elements as he instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police to review the conduct of the campaign against illegal drugs.He reiterated his call for the abolition of the kafala system which he described as a "behemoth that chains the weak, the desperate, and the voiceless to an existence of unimaginable suffering". In addition, the Philippines recently finalized with the United Nations a Joint Program on Human Rights. In line with the longstanding humanitarian tradition, the President announced that the Philippines has opened its door to Afghan nationals, especially women and children, fleeing from conflict. He instructed the DOJ to work with UN High Commissioner on Refugees to prepare a program to help a specified number of Rohingyas consistent with national capacity.He underscored that the Philippines is one with ASEAN and other stakeholders in ensuring that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, security, and prosperity. He is the first leader of a developing country from the Asia Pacific to speak at the 76th Session of the UNGA. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOS

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level General Debate on 22 September 2021, conveyed how governments could reconcile their obligation to their own citizens with their responsibility to the rest of humanity in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, worsening inequality and geopolitical instability. He strongly urged "privileged partners to fully support the COVAX facility and further strengthen other cooperation mechanisms" in order to "save more lives, break the cycle of variants and help ensure global economic recovery". He appealed for urgent climate action "especially from those that can truly tip the balance". He said that the Philippines accepts its share of responsibility and has thus submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution, with a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. He also reaffirmed the Philippine government's mandate and obligation to protect the Filipino people against criminals and other lawless elements as he instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police to review the conduct of the campaign against illegal drugs.He reiterated his call for the abolition of the kafala system which he described as a "behemoth that chains the weak, the desperate, and the voiceless to an existence of unimaginable suffering". In addition, the Philippines recently finalized with the United Nations a Joint Program on Human Rights. In line with the longstanding humanitarian tradition, the President announced that the Philippines has opened its door to Afghan nationals, especially women and children, fleeing from conflict. He instructed the DOJ to work with UN High Commissioner on Refugees to prepare a program to help a specified number of Rohingyas consistent with national capacity.He underscored that the Philippines is one with ASEAN and other stakeholders in ensuring that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, security, and prosperity. He is the first leader of a developing country from the Asia Pacific to speak at the 76th Session of the UNGA. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOS