MANILA -- The Philippines is hosting the High-Level Conference of Middle-Income Countries in Makati, the first time the meeting is held in Asia.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the conference is organized by the Philippine government in collaboration with various United Nations agencies. The event aims to begin the conversation on various issues affecting middle-income countries, including the Philippines.

“The need for sustained dialogue on better supporting the growth track of middle-income countries through thoughtful strategies, concrete, scalable, and impactful solutions. More to the point, it is an acknowledgement that we need each other,” Manalo said.

He said there are 105 middle-income countries comprising 75 percent of the world’s population and a third of the global GDP. But he added that this group is also vulnerable, hence the need to come together and make a stand on various global issues such as new trade policies, geopolitical risks, and climate change.

The Philippines begins its chairmanship of the Like-Minded Group of Middle Income Countries (LMG-MICS). 

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This is a group of about two dozen middle income nations that are all represented in the high-level conference. Some of the topics discussed are green transitions for resilience and sustainability, strengthening regional south-south cooperation, financing for middle-income countries and more.

“The current global landscape represents a defining moment for middle-income countries. Dramatic shifts highlight the compelling centrality of multilateralism in fostering dialogue and cooperation and rewarding partnerships for resilience, efficiency, and sustainability,” Manalo added.

Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, one of the organizers of the forum, said the Philippines is set to become an upper middle income country and the forum will also discuss possible issues for countries that will move to a higher status.

“We are well-positioned to achieve upper middle income status by 2026. Nonetheless, we remain acutely aware of the uncertainties that confront the global economy ranging from systemic risks to economic institutions, and technological disruption, environmental challenge,” Balisacan said.

United Nations Under-Secretary-General Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana also attended the forum on behalf of the UN. She said the gathering is very timely due to the many challenges affecting the world and most specially middle-income countries.

“We gather at a time of profound changes as well as challenges, with possible economic slowdown, demographic shifts, and climate shocks casting a shadow on our progress. These challenges place stability, a prerequisite for development, at risk,” she said.

The high-level conference will end on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.