ThrivePH Media Advisory

UN to launch joint research findings to diversify, upgrade Ph economy

The COVID-19 led to massive disruption of the economy and labour market. It has also revealed vulnerabilities of sectors and firms. The UN in the Philippines, in collaboration with the ILO, UNDP and UNIDO conducted a joint research to diversify and upgrade the Philippine economy, which will be launched on Thursday, 5 August 2021.

News | Manila, Philippines | 02 August 2021
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The COVID-19 pandemic has led to massive disruption of the economy and labour market in the Philippines. It has also revealed vulnerabilities of sectors and firms dependent on foreign trade and intermediaries.

The United Nations in the Philippines, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization conducted a joint research on implementing an evidence-based Socioeconomic and Peacebuilding Framework (SEPF) in the Philippines.

The joint research contributes to the analysis of opportunities to diversify and upgrade the Philippine economy to generate productive employment that will make growth more inclusive. It explores strategies for strengthening and expanding the country’s industrial base, starting with an analysis of the product space, key supply chains, and the labour market.

Intensifying the capacity of the Philippine economy to create productive employment is a matter of urgency with an increasing working-age population. This challenge is magnified by the formidable task of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The gross domestic product (GDP) contraction is the most severe that the country has ever experienced since World War II.

The joint research along with key findings and policy directions will be launched on Thursday, 5 August 2021 at 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. as part of the ThrivePH Discussion Series. Prior to the launch, the joint research has been informed by consultations and a validation process involving government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders.

Findings of the joint research will further help the UN in the Philippines refocus priorities to target its support, including its resources, to where it is most needed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and to help the Philippines to remain on track to meet its development goals.

UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo González will open the high-level discussion followed by a presentation of the joint research findings by ILO Director Khalid Hassan with key inputs from UNDP and UNIDO.

Mr Ndiame Diop, Country Director of the World Bank, Mr Ruben Pascual, Secretary-General of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will give their insights in an interactive panel discussion moderated by Ms Karen Davila, Broadcast Journalist and Mr John Alikpala, UN Philippines Economist.

The virtual launch is open for media coverage. Please register via Zoom at bit.ly/ThrivePHSession3.