A brief introduction to your country and its history concerning

the topic and committee:

The Republic of the Philippines is an archipelago located in Southeast Asia with a
population of over 110 million. As a developing country with a growing economy, the
Philippines has long prioritised infrastructure development to support its national
progress. Historically, the Philippines has been open to foreign investments and has
participated in various global initiatives to improve infrastructure, including China’s
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Initially, the Philippines viewed the BRI as accelerating infrastructure projects and
boosting economic growth. However, concerns over debt sustainability,
sovereignty, and unequal partnerships emerged. These issues, with growing
caution about potential dependency risks, prompted the Philippines to withdraw
from the BRI in 2023, choosing instead to focus on more balanced and transparent
regional partnerships within ASEAN.

In this context, the Philippines is actively involved in ASEAN, working towards

regional cooperation that promotes sustainable development without
compromising national sovereignty.

Country’s policies with respect to the issue and your country’s

justification for these policies:
1. Economic Independence: The Philippines prioritizes economic independence
and ensuring that foreign investments do not lead to debt traps or excessive
reliance on any one country. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized, “Our
priority is to ensure that any foreign involvement in our national infrastructure
does not compromise our sovereignty or burden future generations.” This policy
reflects the need to maintain control over national assets and finances.

2. Focus on ASEAN-Led Initiatives: The Philippines believes in promoting

regional infrastructure development through ASEAN rather than relying on
external powers. This policy ensures that ASEAN countries, including the
Philippines, can develop projects based on mutual benefit, fair terms, and
long-term sustainability.

3. Transparency and Sustainability: The country is committed to ensuring that

all infrastructure projects, whether funded domestically or through foreign
partnerships, are transparent, environmentally sustainable, and in line with
the Philippines’ national development goals. This stance ensures that the
country can pursue growth without risking financial instability or compromising
its autonomy.

How the issue affects your country:

1. Debt Dependency: Many of the terms in BRI agreements risked placing the
Philippines in unsustainable debt, which could burden future generations and
compromise long-term financial stability. This concern became more apparent as
other countries involved in the BRI, such as Sri Lanka, faced similar issues.
 2. Sovereignty Risks: The Philippines was concerned that participation in the BRI
could result in a loss of control over critical infrastructure, such as ports or
highways, if debts became unmanageable. This would affect the country’s
ability to maintain full sovereignty over its key national assets.

3. Unequal Partnerships: The terms of many BRI deals appeared to favor

Chinese interests, making it difficult for the Philippines to ensure balanced
benefits from such projects. This imbalance raised concerns over whether the
initiative was truly in the best interests of the country.

Quotes from your country’s leaders about the issue:

1. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.:

o "Our priority is to ensure that any foreign involvement in our national

infrastructure does not compromise our sovereignty or burden future
generations."

o This statement reflects the Philippines' commitment to safeguarding its

sovereignty while engaging in foreign investments.

2. Former President Rodrigo Duterte:

o "While we welcome foreign investments, we must also be vigilant in

ensuring that these partnerships do not lead to debt traps or compromise
our national interests."

o This emphasizes the importance of balancing foreign investment with

national welfare.

3. Senator Francis Tolentino:

o "We must be careful in our dealings with foreign powers, particularly with
initiatives like the BRI, to ensure that our nation’s resources remain in our
control."

o This highlights the need for caution in agreements that could affect the
country's resource management.

4. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo:

o "The Philippines seeks to pursue partnerships that prioritize our economic

independence and environmental sustainability, without the risks that
come with unsustainable debt."

o This underscores the country's focus on sustainable development and

independence from foreign financial burdens.

Statistics to back up your country’s position on the issue:

o According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA),
approximately 40% of foreign-funded infrastructure projects in developing
countries, including the Philippines, face the risk of turning into debt traps with
long-term repayment challenges.
 o Studies show that countries participating in the BRI are 20-30% more likely
to experience an increase in national debt, with several nations being forced to
lease or give up control over critical infrastructure like ports or power plants.

o The World Bank reported that some BRI projects resulted in excessive debt,
particularly in countries with weak economic frameworks. Examples include Sri
Lanka, which had to lease a major port to China due to unsustainable debt from
BRI loans.

o According to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the country's debt-to-GDP

ratio climbed to over 60% during the height of foreign-funded infrastructure
projects, sparking concerns about the country’s ability to manage further debt
from initiatives like the BRI.

o The Philippines has seen steady GDP growth of 5-6% annually in recent
years through ASEAN-led initiatives and international partnerships (such as
with Japan) that offer more transparent and sustainable terms compared to
the BRI.

Actions taken by your government with regard to the issue:

1. Withdrawal from the BRI:

 In 2023, the Philippines officially withdrew from the BRI, citing concerns
about unsustainable debt, sovereignty risks, and unequal
partnerships. This decision reflects the government’s priority to protect the
country from the long-term economic and political consequences of BRI-
related projects.

2. Shift to ASEAN-Led Initiatives:

 After withdrawing from the BRI, the Philippines redirected its focus toward
ASEAN-led infrastructure projects through the Master Plan on ASEAN
Connectivity (MPAC). This plan emphasizes fair, transparent, and
sustainable development that benefits the entire ASEAN region, fostering
regional cooperation without reliance on external powers.

3. Strengthening Partnerships with Japan and Other Nations:

 The Philippines has pursued alternative partnerships with countries like

Japan, which has supported Philippine infrastructure development through
projects with more favourable and transparent terms. For example, Japan
has financed the construction of key transportation systems and ports in the
country.

4. Reinforcing Economic Policies:

 The government has strengthened policies promoting economic

independence and sustainable foreign investment. This includes ensuring
that any foreign-funded projects align with the Philippines’ national
interests and long-term economic goals without compromising its
sovereignty.

5. Commitment to Environmental and Financial Transparency:

  The Philippines has also prioritized environmentally responsible and
financially transparent infrastructure projects. The government has
advocated for green infrastructure that complies with international standards
for sustainability, aiming to balance development with environmental
protection.

Conventions and resolutions that your country has signed or

ratified:
1. UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development:

 The Philippines is a strong supporter of the UN Sustainable Development

Goals (SDGs), particularly goals related to sustainable infrastructure (Goal
9) and economic growth (Goal 8). These goals guide the country's
development policies and its emphasis on projects that are environmentally
responsible, economically viable, and socially inclusive.

2. Paris Agreement on Climate Change:

 The Philippines ratified the Paris Agreement in 2017, reaffirming its

commitment to combat climate change through sustainable practices. This
influences its stance on infrastructure projects like the BRI, ensuring that future
development aligns with environmental protection and low-carbon growth.

3. ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025:

 As an ASEAN member, the Philippines has ratified the AEC Blueprint 2025,
which aims to foster economic integration and connectivity within the region.
This commitment encourages fair and transparent intra-ASEAN development
projects, aligning with the Philippines' focus on ASEAN-led initiatives over
external ones like the BRI.

4. UN General Assembly Resolution 69/313 on Financing for

Development:

 The Philippines supported this resolution, which calls for sustainable financing
practices for developing countries. The resolution promotes debt
sustainability and transparent financing, which have shaped the
Philippines’ decision to avoid high-risk projects like those under the BRI.

5. Manila Consensus (ASEAN):

 The Manila Consensus was an ASEAN-led agreement that emphasized

regional connectivity and infrastructure development while maintaining
national sovereignty and economic independence. This aligns with the
Philippines’ vision of self-reliant growth through ASEAN rather than
depending on external powers like China.

UN actions that your country supported or opposed:

Supported:

1. UN General Assembly Resolution 69/313 on Financing for Development

(2015):
 o The Philippines supported this resolution, which addresses financing for
development and emphasizes the importance of sustainable,
transparent financing for developing nations. It aligns with the
Philippines’ concerns about the potential for debt dependency in
initiatives like the BRI and advocates for responsible lending practices that
protect developing economies from excessive debt.

2. UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

o The Philippines is a strong advocate of the 2030 Agenda for

Sustainable Development and has endorsed UN actions that promote
the SDGs, particularly those related to sustainable infrastructure (Goal
9), economic growth (Goal 8), and climate action (Goal 13). The
country supports infrastructure projects that align with these goals, which
is why it focuses on environmentally and economically sustainable
alternatives to the BRI.

3. UN Paris Agreement on Climate Change (2015):

o The Philippines ratified the Paris Agreement and supports UN efforts to

mitigate climate change. This commitment to climate action influences its
infrastructure policies, where it favors projects that align with
environmental sustainability—another reason for its withdrawal from
the BRI, which raised concerns about environmental impacts.

4. UN General Assembly Resolution on the Role of Debt Restructuring

(2020):

o The Philippines has supported UN efforts to provide debt relief and

improve debt restructuring mechanisms for developing countries. Given
its concerns about the BRI’s potential to create debt traps, the Philippines
endorses global efforts to reform how debt is managed, ensuring that
countries are not forced into unsustainable debt agreements.

Opposed:

1. Actions that Encourage Debt Dependency: The Philippines has opposed any
UN resolutions or actions that implicitly support unsustainable foreign debt
or the practice of placing developing countries in a position of financial
dependency on more powerful nations. This opposition stems from the
country’s stance against the BRI and other initiatives that could threaten its
sovereignty through overwhelming debt.

2. UN Actions that Lack Transparency in Foreign Investments: The

Philippines has opposed actions that do not emphasize transparency and
fairness in international infrastructure investments. The country advocates for
global standards that ensure developing nations are not subjected to
exploitative terms or unfair financing practices, which it views as critical in its
decision to withdraw from the BRI.

What your country believes should be done to address the issue:

1. Strengthen Regional Cooperation through ASEAN: The Philippines advocates
for ASEAN-led infrastructure projects that prioritize the needs of the region. By
focusing on intra-ASEAN development, member nations can work together to
build infrastructure that benefits all members equally, reducing reliance on external
powers like China.
2. Promote Transparency and Fair Terms in Foreign Investments: The
Philippines believes all foreign-funded projects should have transparent terms
and be subject to fair, balanced agreements. This is crucial in avoiding the debt
traps and unequal partnerships often associated with the BRI. ASEAN should
establish clear standards to ensure sustainable financing for all projects.
3. Emphasize Environmental Sustainability: The Philippines calls for all
infrastructure projects, both ASEAN-led and foreign-funded, to adhere to
environmental standards that protect the region's natural resources. Green
infrastructure should be prioritized to ensure long-term growth without
compromising the environment.
4. Protect National Sovereignty and Financial Independence: The Philippines
stresses the importance of maintaining national sovereignty and avoiding any
form of debt dependency. ASEAN should focus on building resilience and
ensure that any foreign involvement in infrastructure does not compromise the
sovereignty or future economic stability of member states.
5. Focus on Long-Term Economic Stability: Instead of short-term gains from
foreign loans, the Philippines urges ASEAN to pursue projects that promote long-
term economic stability. This involves investing in self-reliant infrastructure
that can contribute to sustainable growth, employment, and economic
independence for ASEAN nations.

How the positions of other countries affect your country’s

position:
Countries Supporting the BRI:

1. Cambodia and Laos:

o These countries are strong supporters of the BRI due to the immediate
infrastructure benefits and economic assistance they receive from
China. Their heavy involvement has led to significant infrastructure
growth but has also increased their dependency on Chinese loans.

o This support for the BRI could pose challenges to the Philippines' stance,
as it may weaken ASEAN's collective bargaining power and promote
further reliance on external initiatives. The Philippines is concerned that
this dependency could make it harder for ASEAN to assert its interests as
a unified bloc and influence China’s terms for regional development.

Countries Expressing Concerns:

2. Vietnam and Malaysia:

o Like the Philippines, these countries have expressed concerns over the
long-term implications of the BRI, particularly regarding debt
sustainability and national sovereignty. Vietnam and Malaysia share
 the Philippines’ cautious approach toward large-scale foreign-funded
projects that could compromise national control over critical
infrastructure.

o This alignment strengthens the Philippines' position, as it reflects a

broader sentiment within ASEAN of needing greater transparency and
fairer terms in foreign-funded projects. These shared concerns offer the
Philippines allies in pushing for ASEAN-led alternatives to external
projects like the BRI.

Countries with a Balanced Approach:

3. Indonesia:

o Indonesia has taken a more balanced stance, participating in the BRI but
ensuring that its projects align with national development goals and
maintain a level of economic independence. Indonesia's focus on
ensuring mutual benefits through foreign investments complements the
Philippines' call for fair, transparent partnerships.

o Indonesia’s position supports the Philippines’ push for carefully

negotiated terms in foreign investments, suggesting that ASEAN should
be more strategic about involvement in initiatives like the BRI.