Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announces during a press briefing that President Marcos will attend the opening of the United Nations 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women | Photo via Presidential Communications Office
NEW YORK — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will travel to New York from March 8 to 11, 2026, for a working visit centered on high‑level engagements at the United Nations, including an address before a special session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and participation in the opening of the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Malacañang confirmed the trip through Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, who briefed reporters on the President’s schedule.
Castro said Marcos will “attend the opening of the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women” and “deliver a message at the special session of the General Assembly of the United Nations,” noting that the President will also meet with senior UN officials during the four‑day visit. The Palace described the trip as a “working visit,” emphasizing its multilateral focus rather than bilateral U.S.–Philippines engagements.
The CSW, the UN’s principal intergovernmental body dedicated to women’s rights, will convene ministers, diplomats, and civil society leaders to review global progress on gender equality. The UN has identified women’s participation in public life and access to justice as the thematic priorities for this year’s session.
Focus on Gender Justice and Global Governance
Marcos’ participation signals the administration’s intent to align with international gender‑justice frameworks at a time when domestic debates on women’s political representation and workplace protections remain active. While Malacañang has not released the full outline of his UNGA remarks, officials said the President’s message will underscore the Philippines’ commitment to “dialogue, stability, and constructive engagement” amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The President’s return to the UN stage comes after he skipped the UNGA in September 2025, citing the need to focus on domestic issues, including corruption investigations in infrastructure projects. His absence drew attention at the time, given the Philippines’ active role in UN peacekeeping, migration governance, and climate diplomacy.
This March visit will be Marcos’ sixth trip to the United States since assuming office, making the U.S. his most frequent foreign destination. His last visit was in July 2025, when he met with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss tariffs and trade issues.
Delegation Still Unannounced
As of this week, Malacañang has not released the official delegation list, and no high‑level Cabinet officials have been publicly confirmed to accompany the President. The only named official connected to the trip remains Undersecretary Castro, who announced the visit.
In previous UN‑related travel, the President has typically been joined by the Foreign Affairs Secretary and senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of United Nations and International Organizations. However, the Palace has not confirmed whether Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro or other Cabinet members will join the March delegation.
Diplomatic sources note that delegation details for UN‑centered working visits are often finalized closer to departure, especially when meetings with UN agencies are still being arranged or when security protocols require delayed disclosure.
Implications for Filipinos and the International Community
For Filipino communities abroad, especially in the United States, the visit offers an opportunity to spotlight issues affecting overseas workers, global security, and economic cooperation. For the international community, Marcos’ participation signals Manila’s intent to remain an active voice in multilateral diplomacy despite domestic pressures.
As the UN prepares for a year of heightened focus on gender equality and global governance, the Philippines’ engagement, including the President’s visit, is expected to reaffirm its long‑standing role in shaping international policy discussions.
