NEW YORK, USA — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. rallied the support of his fellow world leaders to support the Philippines' quest to become a member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
Marcos made this appeal in his speech at the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) here on Tuesday afternoon, September 20 (New York time).
In his speech, the President called on the UN to continue its flagship global peacekeeping tradition and said the Philippines could contribute to the work of the UN Security Council.
"My country's experience in building peace and forging new paths of cooperation can enrich the work of the Security Council," he said.
"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.
President Marcos particularly cited the government's success in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
"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," he said.
"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.
The UN Security Council is primarily responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It determines the existence of a threat to the peace or an act of aggression. It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle their differences through peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of a settlement.
It has 15 members with veto power, five of which are permanent: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
The General Assembly currently elects five new non-permanent or rotating members each year. The Philippines has not been part of the Security Council since 2005.