UNDP Reaffirms Support for Philippines, Middle-Income Countries

The UN Development Program has reaffirmed its support for middle-income countries (MICs), including the Philippines, with United Nations Undersecretary General and UNDP Associate Administrator Hao Liang Xu concluding a two-day visit to Manila.

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In his opening remarks, Xu underscored the pivotal role of MICs in shaping the global development landscape despite persistent structural challenges and external pressures.

"MICs are not just countries in transition—they are engines of innovation, resilience and global progress," Xu said.

The conference highlighted key areas of focus for MICs, including access to equitable financing, strengthening digital public infrastructure, responding to the climate crisis and building innovation-driven economies.

Xu noted that although MICs make up over 70 percent of the global population and generate one-third of global gross domestic product, they are often sidelined in development financing frameworks.

In particular, MICs face rising debt pressures, with the median MIC now spending nearly nine percent of government revenue on interest payments alone.