APPF adopts 10 resolutions strengthening regional cooperation

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 25) — The Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) adopted 10 resolutions which aim to strengthen cooperation among countries within the region, including the Philippines.

The Philippines hosted the 31st APPF this year attended by 300 parliament members from 28 countries in the region.

Member states originally proposed 37 resolutions, but the APPF drafting committee consolidated the measures down to 10. These are resolutions on:

1. Combating Transnational Crimes

2. Women's Participation and Leadership

3. Gender and the Sustainable Development Goals

4. Rethinking Critical Infrastructure

5. Regional Cooperation on Universal Health Care

6. Regional Cooperation on Education and Culture

7. Enhancing Regional Cooperation on Climate Action Biodiversity Conservation, and Disaster Risk Reduction

8. Korean Peninsula

9. Strengthening the Capacity of Parliaments to Promote Peace and Stability

10. Human Capital Development and Inclusive Growth

«All 10 draft resolutions of the Philippines were adopted in totality with all other member-countries,» Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said at the forum's closing on Saturday.

«Biro mo pati sa regional security and peace naisama po natin, yung freedom of navigation…pati na yung respect of the rule of law and the United Nations Laws of the Seas,» he added.

[Translation: Can you believe we even included regional security, peace, freedom of navigation…even respect of the rule of law?]

The Philippines also got support from 16 APPF member states in the country's bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations National Security Council (UNSC).

«Malaking bagay po na ma-secure natin na makakuha ng seat sa UN Security Council lalo na't may mga kinakaharap tayong problema sa West Philippine Sea,» Zubiri said.

«Ang pag upo natin dyan ay pag apila sa mga kasamahan natin sa security council na kung pwede wag na mag escalate ng tensions, wag sana mang harass, wag sana manggulo o mam-bully. We'll have a stronger voice in the UN,» he continued.

[Translation: It's a big thing to secure a seat in the UNSC, especially as we are facing problems in the West Philippine Sea. Our seat is an