Phl refers 37 draft resolutions for APPF31 — Zubiri

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that all the participating parliaments have submitted their draft resolutions on political and security matters; economic and trade matters; and regional cooperations to be discussed in the ongoing 31st Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum.

"We will discuss these resolutions heavily in plenary and working groups over the next three days," he noted. 

"These cover everything from climate action to transnational crime, universal health care to critical infrastructureShared-solutions to shared concerns. This is our goal," he continued.

The Philippines have referred at least 37 draft resolutions to the respective committees during the forum, including the 10 resolutions that would strengthen the capacity of the parliaments to promote peace stability; five resolutions for combatting transnational crimes; three under critical infrastructures; four resolutions about human development and inclusive growth; four for regional cooperation to indication of culture; two for universal healthcare; four resolutions under gender and sustainable development goals; and five resolutions under women's participation and leadership. 

"The working groups and the drafting committees would consolidate similar resolutions into a single resolution with parliamentarians working together to come up with a language and courses of action that are agreeable to all parties," Zubiri explained.

Final output, showcasing Phl

Zubiri said they expect to produce a joint communiqué that would reflect the discussions and developments of the APPF 31. 

The resolution, he said, will be signed by all heads of delegations—and shall serve as a "guiding document" for multi-lateral cooperation and partnerships in the future.

Zubiri said it is nearly three decades since the Philippines first hosted APPF in 1994, which serves as the country's avenue to showcase its progress and developments throughout the years.

"We see our hosting of the APPF as a coming-out party for the Philippines—a signal of our active presence as a partner in pursuing peace, prosperity, and progress in the Asia Pacific region," Zubiri said.

"This is our way of showing the rest of the Asia Pacific that we are here, and we are ready to form strong partnerships toward the collective growth of our nations," he added.