MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in partnership with the United Nations in the Philippines, commemorated the 80th Founding Anniversary of the United Nations and eight decades of Philippine membership in the organization through an event titled “UN Day 2025: A Celebration of 80 Years of Hope and Endeavor.”

The celebration was held ahead of the annual UN Day on October 24, which marks the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. The event, hosted by the DFA and organized by its Office of United Nations and International Organizations, gathered around 180 participants, including members of the diplomatic corps, officials of UN agencies operating in the Philippines, government officials, and more than 30 students from nearly 10 universities.

The event featured a lecture and panel discussion highlighting the Philippines’ legacy across 80 years of the UN’s existence while examining the country’s continuing role in shaping the organization’s efforts to tackle pressing global issues such as climate change, emerging technologies, financing for development, and the future of multilateralism.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro delivered the keynote remarks during the diplomatic reception, paying tribute to the Philippines’ legacy as one of the UN’s 51 founding members.

“In 1945, standing at the cusp of freedom, the Philippines became one of the UN’s founding members, affirming our faith in the belief that peace and progress can only be achieved through cooperation among nations,” Secretary Lazaro recalled. “The United Nations has proven itself as the vessel of our collective aspirations for a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world,” she said.

For eight decades, the Philippines has been a committed partner of the UN and the international community, advocating for multilateralism and a rules-based international order. Since the UN’s founding, the country has worked to promote peace and prosperity, uphold human rights, and push for global reforms.

Secretary Lazaro also highlighted the contributions of notable Filipinos in the UN, saying, “From General Carlos P. Romulo, the first Asian to preside over the UN General Assembly, to our peacekeepers, humanitarian workers, and the many diplomats serving across the globe, the Philippines has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the UN Charter and to multilateralism as the cornerstone of our foreign policy.”

The Philippines continues to actively participate in multilateral discussions on issues such as climate change, peacekeeping, migration, humanitarian assistance, disarmament, non-proliferation, and inclusive and sustainable development.

Reaffirming the country’s dedication to the UN, Secretary Lazaro concluded, “The international community can count on the Philippines to be a steadfast vanguard of the UN Charter and partner and friend to all, as it has been in the past 80 years.”

Undersecretary for Policy Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega delivered the opening remarks, welcoming guests and participants from the diplomatic corps, academe, and other sectors to the lecture and panel discussion portion of the event.

The UN Day 2025 program featured a distinguished roster of speakers and facilitators, including DFA-UNIO Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa T. Almojuela, UN Resident Coordinator to the Philippines Arnauld Peral, De La Salle University Professor Michael Charleston “Xiao” B. Chua, International Organization for Migration (IOM) National Project Officer Maureen Gaddi dela Cruz, Manila Observatory Associate Director for Climate Policy and International Relations Antonio G.M. La Viña, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Economist Mohamed Shahudh, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia, and DFA-UNIO Deputy Assistant Secretary Ambrosio Brian F. Enciso III.