President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday praised outgoing United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo González for strengthening the international body’s relations with the Philippines.

During a farewell ceremony at Malacañan Palace in Manila, Marcos acknowledged the improved ties between the Philippines and the UN under Gonzalez’s watch, particularly their collaboration to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and promote peace and development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“You did so much between the UN and the Philippines,” Marcos told González.

“I was looking at the time that you were here. There’s a very, very large increase in engagements between the United Nations and the Philippines,” he added.

Gonzalez, who will be retiring from active service, said the Philippines would always hold a special place in his heart.

“Mr. President, thank you so much. I very much appreciate your time but today is also my last day as a UN active officer. So I’m going to retire. No doubt that the Philippines will be in my heart because this is a special moment for me,” he said. González concludes nearly five years of service in the Philippines as UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.

From 2013 to 2017, he served as the UN Development Programme’s Sub-Regional Development Coordinator for the Syria-related Crisis, overseeing operations in Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Turkey.

The UN is an international organization founded in 1945, comprising 193 member-states.

It maintains international peace and security, protects human rights, delivers humanitarian aid, promotes sustainable development, and upholds international law. (PNA)