The governments of the world must be “prepared and eager to dialog” in order to create a new paradigm in international relations, Vice President Jejomar Binay said.
In his speech during the general debate of the 16th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, the Vice President urged world governments to assume a more active role in international dialog to “bring forth greater justice, equality and peace within, and among, nations.”
“Working together as one human family, there is no limit to what we can do to close the gaps arising from so much inequality, injustice, and conflict within, and between, nation-states,” he said.
Binay is President Aquino’s official representative to the two-day NAM Summit.
He lauded Iran’s “historic initiative” at the United Nations (UN) that led the UN General Assembly to proclaim the year 2001 as the Year of Dialog Among Civilizations.
“Since then universities and think tanks have taken up that project, and a group of distinguished international citizens, scientists and intellectuals meet yearly on the Greek island of Rhodes to pursue the dialog,” he said.
During the general debate, Binay also reiterated the Philippines’ adherence to the rule of law in both in the country’s domestic and external relations.
“We faithfully adhere to the charter of the UN, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 1982 Manila Declaration on the peaceful settlement of disputes in all our actions related to our territorial dispute with some of our Asian neighbors,” he said.
“It is our hope that in this conference, we could all reaffirm our commitment to peace by rejecting any action that detracts from the peaceful settlement of any dispute,” Binay added.
Moreover, the Vice President urged NAM members to support the International Labor Organization’s Convention 189 or the Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers.
“My government is doing everything to secure the best possible terms for our workers from their host countries and employers. But in the end this will require international action, involving all countries,” he said.
Binay is the Presidential Adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ concerns.