New york city: The Philippine government, through its Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has expressed its appreciation for the recognition of the State of Palestine by several countries during a prominent international conference held in New York City.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DFA highlighted the acknowledgment from nations such as France, Portugal, Australia, Monaco, Canada, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Andorra. These countries recognized the State of Palestine at the High-Level International Conference in New York City, where discussions focused on ending the ongoing conflict and human suffering in Gaza.

The DFA emphasized the Philippines’ longstanding support for a two-state solution as the only viable pathway to achieving peace in the Middle East. The conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, was a continuation of the United Nations (UN) High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which resumed on September 22.

Earlier this month, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution endorsing the New York Declaration. This declaration, issued at the conclusion of the initial high-level summit in July, supports the implementation of the two-state solution concerning the Palestine-Israel conflict.

Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo represented the Philippines at the September conference, accompanied by DFA Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa Almojuela. Ahead of the conference, Australia, Canada, and the UK formally recognized an “independent and sovereign State of Palestine.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that this recognition is part of a broader international endeavor to create new momentum towards a two-state solution, initiating with a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 atrocities.