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PH falls short in UN Security Council bid; Kyrgyzstan secures seat
PH falls short in UN Security Council bid; Kyrgyzstan secures seat
At A Glance
- The Philippines failed to secure a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council after four rounds of voting.
- Kyrgyzstan won the Asia-Pacific seat after obtaining the required two-thirds vote.
- The Philippines was seeking its fifth term on the Security Council.
The Philippines failed to secure a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2027-2028 term after losing to Kyrgyzstan in four rounds of voting at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday past midnight, June 4.
Kyrgyzstan got 142 votes in the fourth round of voting, eventually securing the required two-thirds vote needed for election to the Security Council. A total of 128 votes were needed to win the seat, based on the 191 voting UN member states.
During the first round of voting on late Wednesday evening, June 3 (Manila time), Kyrgyzstan received 105 votes while the Philippines garnered 85 votes.
The gap widened in the second round, with Kyrgyzstan obtaining 110 votes against the Philippines’ 81.
In the third round, Kyrgyzstan further increased its lead with 123 votes while the Philippines received 68 votes.
Kyrgyzstan eventually secured enough votes in the fourth round with 142 votes to clinch the Asia-Pacific seat on the council. The Philippines got 49 votes in the last round.
PH respects outcome
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, who was present at the UN General Assembly during the voting, said the Philippines respects the outcome of the election.
“The Philippines respects the decision of the member states of the United Nations and extends its congratulations to the Kyrgyz Republic following today’s election for the non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council,” she said.
She also thanked the countries that supported the Philippine bid.
“We thank the international community for the support and goodwill extended to the Philippines throughout our candidacy,” Lazaro said.
“Our campaign was anchored on our longstanding commitment to peace, dialogue, international law, and cooperation among nations. These remain principles that the Philippines will continue to uphold and advance in the global community,” she added.
Lazaro said the Philippines would continue working with the international community despite the setback.
“The Philippines remains committed to working with all nations in pursuing peace, stability, sustainable development, and a rules-based international order,” she said.
“Mabuhay ang Pilipinas,” she added.
What is the UNSC?
The Security Council is the principal United Nations body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
It is composed of 15 members — five permanent members with veto power and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
The permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Every year, five countries are elected by the UN General Assembly to fill half of the rotating non-permanent seats.
The seats are distributed among regional groups, with the Asia-Pacific region allocated two seats.
The council has the authority to issue binding resolutions, impose sanctions, authorize peacekeeping operations, and address international conflicts and threats to global security.
PH sought fifth term
The Philippines had campaigned on issues involving international law, maritime security, peacebuilding, climate resilience, and the interests of developing nations.
Foreign Affairs officials earlier said the country hoped to use a Security Council seat to promote peaceful dispute settlement and strengthen multilateral cooperation.
The Philippines has previously served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council four times: in 1957, 1963, 1980-1981, and 2004-2005.
The 2027-2028 bid would have marked the country’s fifth term on the council.