Article by:
Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
NEW YORK CITY – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday (New York time) lobbied for the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2027 to 2028, citing the country’s long-standing contributions to UN peacekeeping operations.
“In the midst of mounting challenges and uncertainties, our United Nations needs steady, committed, experienced hands; and we humbly offer ours - to serve in the UN Security Council for 2027 to 2028,” Marcos said in his address during the UN General Assembly’s special plenary session at the UN headquarters here in New York.
Marcos said he sees the UNSC seat not as a right but a privilege to form a consistent and concrete partnership” with member states.
The Philippines, Marcos said, has already proven itself to be an “independent, trusted partner, innovative pathfinder, and committed peacemaker,” making it “ready to be part of the solution.”
“The Philippines stands ready once again, to contribute – to help calm voices of division, provide a voice of balance; to shun ambition, for service and always as a voice for principled peace,” he said.
“And thus, I stand before you to humbly petition for your support for the Philippines in the elections on the 3rd of June 2026,” Marcos added.
Marso noted that over 7,400 Filipinos served under the UN Command, with 112 of them sacrificing their lives to the cause of peace.
He added that as early as the 1960s, Filipino peacekeepers worked not only for peace, but also for the progress of local communities.
He also recalled the country’s early involvement in the Korean War and deployment of troops to Congo in 1963.
“Since that mission in Congo, we have deployed 15,000 troops to 22 peacekeeping missions in Africa, in Middle East, the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific. Our experience has taught us that at its core, peacekeeping is service to the community,” Marcos said.
Highlighting the country’s peacekeeping efforts, Marcos said the Philippines is well-positioned to contribute to the UNSC.
He also stressed the Philippines’ readiness to become the “voice from this region, the voice of developing countries, the voice of climate vulnerable nations, and the voice of middle-income countries facing competing challenges and priorities.”
“We firmly support peacekeeping models that place paramount consideration for the needs of the community. We place emphasis on the promotion of efficient, responsive, and non-politicized peacekeeping models that promote the well-being of women, children, older persons, people living with disabilities, all vulnerable people,” Marcos said.
The Philippines was previously elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in 1957, 1963, 1980-1981 and 2004-2005. (PNA)
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