PH might sit as UNIDO external auditor for 2018-2020: DFA

FILE: Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning Ernesto Pernia (Photo By Philippine Information Agency, Public Domain)

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday the Philippines is expected to be appointed as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) external auditor for the term July 1, 2018 to July 31, 2020.

UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization, and environmental sustainability. As of January 2017, UNIDO has 168 member states, which regularly discuss and decide UNIDO’s guiding principles and policies in the sessions of the Policymaking Organs.

At the 17th Session of the General Conference of the UNIDO in Vienna last Nov. 27, the DFA said Secretary for Socioeconomic Planning Ernesto Pernia had mentioned the candidature of the Commission on Audit as UNIDO’s external auditor.

Pernia delivered the government’s statement as head of the Philippine delegation in Vienna.

“We are confident that the track record of our Commission on Audit will redound to UNIDO’s benefit and contribute to strengthening it further as an institution,” Pernia said. “It is my country’s desire for UNIDO to succeed. Following its sustained efforts, we are optimistic that the quality of life of the least of our brethren will improve.”

In his speech, Pernia reiterated the Philippines’ full support for UNIDO, noting the contributions of late Secretary of Foreign Affairs Domingo Siazon Jr. as the first Director-General of UNIDO and the Philippine government’s willingness to engage constructively with UNIDO.

“The Philippines is ready to be UNIDO’s partner for meaningful change.

I know that, together, we can effectively achieve the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and create a global community where no one is forsaken,” Pernia said.

As per DFA, UNIDO has three projects in the Philippines with a combined monetary value of USD9.

6 million.

Aside from Pernia, the Philippine delegation also included Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino Posadas of the Department of Energy, Chair Michael Aguinaldo of the Commission on Audit, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Maria Zeneida Angara Collinson, and other officials from COA, National Economic Development Authority, and the Permanent Mission. (PNA)