THIS week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. renewed his appeal before the UN General Assembly to support the Philippines’ bid for a no-veto power non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
The 68-year-old president vowed the country stands ready “to help calm voices of division, provide a voice of balance; to shun ambition, for service, and always as a voice for principled peace.”
In his speech on Wednesday, Manila time, on the last day of his working visit to New York, Mr. Marcos underlined his country, up against Kyrgyztan (population 7.4 million people), is aware a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council is not a right of any State, but a privilege earned through consistent, dedicated, meaningful, and concrete partnership, in the service of the United Nations, and so of humanity.”
The Philippines (population 117 million people) has been campaigning for another term on the council since 2013 for the Asia-Pacific regional spot. It previously held one of the elected seats for the 2004–2005 term.
A two-thirds vote – 129 of 193 – from the General Assembly is required to secure the seat.
Diplomatic observers have emphasized a potential 2027-2028 UN Security Council membership for the Philippines would allow the country to leverage its role as a “Partner, Pathfinder, and Peacemaker” to promote a rules-based international order, advocate for climate-vulnerable nations, and advance women’s participation in peace processes.
Drawing on its experience, the Philippines will focus on bridging divides, strengthening peacekeeping, and reforming global governance to reflect 21st century realities, according to these observers.
We share the sentiments of many that the Philippines, if elected in June this year, can contribute to global progress through advocacy for rule of law, promotion of peace and security, championing climate action, empowering women and development, and bridging global divides.
As a country that successfully used arbitration (2016 South China Sea ruling), the Philippines can lead in promoting a rules-based resolution to conflicts and defending maritime freedom.
Drawing on experience in the Bangsamoro peace process, the Philippines can provide a balanced voice to “calm voices of division” and promote inclusive peacebuilding, especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
As a nation highly vulnerable to climate change, the Philippines can advocate for stronger climate resilience and push for the operationalization of the “Loss and Damage Fund” to assist vulnerable nations.
The Philippines can and will also advocate for the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, ensuring women are central to conflict resolution and peace negotiations.
As chair of the Like-Minded Group of Middle-Income Countries, the Philippines can advocate for the specific needs of developing nations and demand reforms in global financing and governance structures
With a history of contributing peacekeepers to various missions, the Philippines brings a unique, “small country” perspective that emphasizes diplomatic engagement over military power, acting as a crucial mediator in international disputes.
We are counting the weeks to June 2026.
