PHILIPPINE REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR UNESCO

UNCLAS MANILA 000520

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR IO/P AND EAP/MTS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SCUL RP
SUBJECT: PHILIPPINE REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR UNESCO
EXECUTIVE BOARD



1. (U) The Philippine government has formally requested
that the U.S. support its candidacy for the UNESCO Executive
Board. (Full text in para 2.) Please advise of any response.


2. (U) Text
No. 07-474

The Department of Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to
the Embassy of the United States of America, and has the
honor to inform that the Philippine Government has launched
its candidature to the United Nations Educational Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board at
elections to be held in Paris in October 2007.

UNESCO is an organization that contributes to peace and
security by promoting collaboration among nations through
science, education, and culture. The Executive Board is one
of the three constitutional organs of UNESCO. The Executive
Board examines the programme of work for the organization and
the corresponding budget estimates proposed by the
Secretariat, and ensure the effective and rational execution

SIPDIS
of the programme of the Director-General. The Executive
Board also proposes the agenda and working methods of the
bi-annual session of the General Conference.

The Philippines was a member of the Executive Board from
1950-54, 58-62, 74-78, 83-87, 91-95, and 1999-2003.

During the tenure of the Philippines in the UNESCO Executive
Board in 1999-2003, the Philippines held the following
positions: 1) It was elected Chairman of the 54-strong
Asia-Pacific Group (ASPAC) in UNESCO; 2) Chairman of UNESCO's
Committee on Conventions and Recommendations; 3) Chairman of
the Commission on Culture; 4) 2nd Vice Chairman of the 20th
congress of Union Latina; 5) member of the Administrative and
Budget Committee of BIE (Bureau International des
Expositions); and during its Chairmanship of G-77, the
Philippines gave added emphasis on UNESCO's important role in
the world community.

Currently, the Philippines is a member of the following
UNESCO subsidiary bodies; the International Coordinating
Council for the UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme
(MAG) 2005-2990, International Bioethics Committee 2005-2007
and the Memory of the World International Advisory Committee.

The Philippines wishes to continue its work for the "Debt
Swaps for Education," a Resolution which proposes the
creation of a Group of 77 Working Group to address the issue.
The Philippines has been instrumental to its adoption and
gathered support for this initiative in the international
development agenda.

Moreover, the Philippines' UNESCO bid has been endorsed by
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

In light of the foregoing, the Government of the Philippines
would like to solicit the support of the Government of the
United States of the Philippines' UNESCO Executive Board
candidature.

The Department of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this
opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of
America the assurances of its highest consideration.

Pasay City, 07 February 2007
end quote

KENNEY