Makati, Philippines - United Nations Under-Secretary-General and UN Development Programme (UNDP) Associate Administrator Hao Liang Xu concluded a two-day visit to the Philippines, where he participated in the High-Level Conference of Middle-Income Countries (HLC-MICs) held in Makati. The conference, convened under the theme “Breaking New Grounds: Towards a Strategic Plan of Action for MICs,” brought together over 200 representatives from 24 nations and global institutions to address the evolving challenges and untapped potential of Middle-Income Countries (MICs).

Organized by the Like-Minded Group in support of Middle-Income Countries (LMG-MICs), the conference marked a turning point as the chairmanship was transferred from the Kingdom of Morocco to the Republic of the Philippines. The conference culminated in the adoption of the Makati Declaration, calling for coordinated action to address the persistent development challenges of MICs, including reforms to financing, debt sustainability, and eligibility frameworks that go beyond income-based measures. The declaration also launches the process of formulating a Strategic Program of Action to advance inclusive and sustainable development through stronger global partnerships and support. 

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 emphasized.

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% of the global population and generate one-third of global GDP, they are often side-lined in development financing frameworks. In particular, MICs face rising debt pressures, with the median MIC now spending nearly 9% of government revenue on interest payments alone.

In his closing statement, Xu remarked, “This conference has shown that MICs are on the frontlines of today’s global challenges — and tomorrow’s solutions. UNDP stands ready to help unlock their full potential through just transitions, resilient economies, and bold, forward-looking cooperation.”

UNDP will leverage its extensive country presence and policy expertise to implement the vision of the Declaration, working alongside MIC governments and development partners. Xu reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting MICs through tailored, country-specific strategies to accompany national development plans. These include promoting inclusive governance, expanding access to concessional and innovative finance, and advancing responsible use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. 

Xu concluded his visit with bilateral discussions with senior Philippine officials, reiterating UNDP’s full support for the Philippines’ chairmanship of the LMG-MICs and its leadership in fostering South-South solidarity.

“Let the Makati Declaration serve not as the end of our work,” Xu stated, “but as a launchpad for collective action, shared ambition, and a new development compact that truly includes Middle-Income Countries.”

Since 1965, UNDP has worked with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, and the private sector to strengthen inclusive, green, and resilient growth, to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, and to ensure no one is left behind. 

Today, it continues to strengthen the country’s capacities at the national and local levels to promote democratic governance, sustainable management of natural resources, climate change adaptation and disaster risk management, and resilience and peacebuilding. [E]

***

NOTE TO EDITORS

About Haoliang Xu, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNDP Associate Administrator

Haoliang Xu was appointed UN Under-Secretary-General and UNDP Associate Administrator by the United Nations Secretary-General in June 2023.

He previously served as UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of Bureau for Policy and Programme Support and was UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific from September 2013 to July 2019.

Prior to this, he served as Deputy Regional Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States in New York (2010-2013); UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan (2007-2010); Country Director in Pakistan (2005-2007); Deputy Resident Representative for Programme, Pakistan (2004-2005); Country Manager and Senior Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Timor-Leste (2002-2004); Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Iran (2000-2002); Programme Manager, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, New York (1997-1999); Programme Officer/Junior Professional Officer, UNDP Kazakhstan (1995-1997).

Before joining the UN, Mr. Xu was a computer-aided design engineer with Louis Berger International Inc. in New Jersey and an assistant lecturer at Tongji University in Shanghai, China.

Mr. Xu, a Chinese national, holds a Bachelors in Engineering from Tongji University (China), and a Masters’ of Science in Management from the Stevens Institute of Technology (USA). He also holds a Masters’ of International Affairs in Economic Development and Policy Analysis from Columbia University (USA).

For more information, please contact: Charlene Balaan, UNDP Communications Analyst, charlene.balaan@undp.org