The United Nations (UN) Liaison to ASEAN Mr. Mark Harris recently called on Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso to discuss ways to improve and push forward cooperation between ASEAN and the UN on issues of mutual interest. The latter include peace and reconciliation, human rights as well as the rights of women, children, and migrant workers, and threats to the region’s stability such as pandemics and foreign terrorist fighters. 

Ambassador Buensuceso moreover briefed Mr. Harris on the situation in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea, emphasizing the needfor claimant states to respect the letter and spirit of the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and to cooperate in discussing constructive long-term solutions to the peaceful resolution of disputes in the area, in accordance with international law.

ASEAN-UN cooperation is currently guided by the Joint Declaration (JD) on the Comprehensive Partnership between ASEAN and the UN that was signed in 2011; the annual ASEAN-UN Ministerial Meeting (AUMM); and the 2015 Work Plan.