PH campaigns for seat in UN Security Council

Enrique Manalo

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo has asked for the support of the United Nations for the Philippines’ candidature to the UN Security Council.

Citing the country’s peacebuilding and counterterrorism efforts, Manalo said the Philippines’ candidature for a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the term 2027-2028 “manifests our strong desire to offer the best of the Philippine diplomatic tradition.”

“We count on the support of all UN member states in this regard,” Manalo said in a speech he delivered on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York City on Saturday.

The country’s top diplomat highlighted the country’s adherence to UN Security Council resolutions, as well as its work on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as among the peacebuilding efforts of the Philippines.

“In keeping with our tradition as a peacemaker, we will sustain our contributions to UN peacekeeping operations and continue implementing UN Security Council resolutions on counterterrorism and peacebuilding, among others,” he said.

“The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao manifests the vision of the Philippines for people-focused peacebuilding,” he added.

President Marcos first announced the country’s bid for a UN Security Council seat during his speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2022.

15 members

The UN Security Council’s primary responsibility is to maintain international peace and security. It also has the power to investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction. It can also take the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression.

Under the UN Charter, all member states are obligated to comply with the UN Security Council decisions.

The council has 15 members and each member has one vote.

China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States are permanent members of the council. The 10 nonpermanent members sit on the council for a term of two years and can be reinstated if elected by the UN General Assembly.

The Philippines was a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council in 1957, 1963, 1980-1981, and 2004-2005.

In May, Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the Philippines presented its candidature and started its campaign, adding that the country was aiming to engage in important dialogues and debates and vote on important security issues.