SDSN Youth Philippines Joins the Launch of the “United for Progress” Photo Exhibit

SDSN Youth Philippines Communications

9/21/20262 min read

On September 7, 2026, SDSN Youth Philippines joined the ceremonial opening of the United for Progress: 80 Years of United Nations Partnership with the Filipino People Photo Exhibit at One Ayala Mall in Makati City. The event marked the launch of the United Nations’ UN80 photo exhibit, which commemorates eight decades of partnership between the United Nations and the Filipino people and highlights stories of collective action and progress toward peace, human rights, and sustainable development in the Philippines.

SDSN Philippines Network Manager Antonio Maralit and SDSN Youth Philippines Network Coordinator Rafaella Villena represented the Sustainable Development Solutions Network at the ceremonial opening, which brought together representatives from the United Nations, government, private sector, civil society, academe, and the youth.

The program featured reflections on the longstanding partnership between the United Nations and the Philippines. The program began with welcome remarks from Mr. Paolo Adrian Monteiro, Sustainability Partnerships and Reporting Lead of Ayala Corporation, followed by Mr. Arnaud Peral, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in the Philippines, who reflected on key milestones in the Philippines–United Nations partnership. Ms. Thetis Mangahas, representative of the Association of Former International Civil Servants in the Philippines (AFICS), then highlighted the contributions and achievements of Filipinos who have served in the United Nations.

Representing the youth sector, Rafaella Villena, Network Coordinator of SDSN Youth Philippines, emphasized in her remarks that young people are already active contributors to social change today, and underscored the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for the youth to participate in shaping development priorities, contributing to solutions, and translating ideas into action. She also highlighted the diversity of young people’s experiences and the need for inclusive collaboration across communities, sectors, institutions, and generations in addressing interconnected challenges to sustainable development.

The launch also provided an opportunity for the youth network to connect with partners and stakeholders working toward shared goals, strengthening relationships and creating opportunities for future collaboration. The network’s participation reflects the importance of ensuring that young people are part of broader conversations on sustainable development and are supported as partners in building solutions to the challenges facing their communities and society.

The program concluded with closing remarks from Ms. Stacy Danika Garcia, Director of the Office of the United Nations and International Organizations of the Department of Foreign Affairs, followed by the ceremonial unveiling and gallery walkthrough of the UN80 Photo Exhibit.