Marcos asks UN member-states' support for Philippines' bid for Security Council seat

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday (PHL time) sought the support of member-states of the United Nations for the Philippines' bid for a non-permanent seat in the body's Security Council.

"Our continued solidarity will also benefit from a reformed and more inclusive Security Council and an empowered General Assembly that can hold the Council to account.  At the same time, the United Nations must forge ahead with its flagship tradition of global peacekeeping," Marcos said in his speech at the high level general debate at the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly.

"My country’s experience in building peace and forging new paths of cooperation can enrich the work of the Security Council. And to this end, I appeal for the valuable support of all UN member states for the Philippines’ candidature to the Security Council for the term of 2027-2028," he added.

Marcos cited the development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as the centerpiece of the Philippines' effort in attaining peace.

"The peace that we have forged after many decades of conflict among warring factions and clansmen demonstrates that unity is possible even in the most trying circumstances," said the President.

"Inclusive dialogue involving  all stakeholders, including women, the youth, faith leaders and civil society, conducted with patience and good faith has produced a credible and solid foundation for self-government that paves the way for lasting peace and sustainable development," he added.

He also mentioned that the Philippines builds partnerships for peace and development through dialogue, including through inter-faith and inter-religious dialogue, especially through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"In the face of great diversity, we believe that partnerships form the bridge to unite all of us in promoting peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region," Marcos said.

As stated in the UN website, the United Nations Charter established six main organs of the UN, including the Security Council. It gives primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security to the Security Council, which may meet whenever peace is threatened.

When a complaint concerning a threat to peace is brought before it, the Council’s first action is usually to recommend that the parties try to reach agreement by peaceful means.

At present, the UN Security Council has five permanent members, including China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly (with end of term year): Albania (2023), Brazil (2023), Gabon (2023), Ghana (2023), India (2022), Ireland (2022), Kenya (2022), Mexico (2022), Norway (2022), United Arab Emirates (2023).

The Philippines has been a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council during the following years: 1957, 1963, 1980 to 1981, and 2004 to 2005.

Ending war, respecting human rights

Meanwhile, Marcos said there is also the need to reaffirm the wisdom of the founders of the UN and that this means "transcending our differences and committing to ending war, upholding justice, respecting human rights, and maintaining international peace and security."

He mentioned that nuclear weapons have continued to pose an existential threat despite the efforts to build norms that will resoundingly prohibit them. 

"We must reject the notion of deterrence and remain committed to decreasing the global stockpile of these weapons," Marcos said.

"At the same time, we must also address the scourge of the proliferation of all weapons, be they small arms, light weapons, or improvised explosive devices," he added.

Marcos left Manila on Sunday for a working visit to the US and will be back in the Philippines on September 24.

Earlier, he met with the Filipino community in New Jersey, then presented his administration's plan to boost the country's economy during the New York Stock Exchange Economic Forum. —BAP/KG, GMA News