Marcos asks envoys to back PH bid for UN Security Council seat

PALACE POWER TOAST President Marcos and the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown lead the annual “vin d’honneur” (wine of honor) at Malacañang on Saturday. The annual tradition, one of French roots, is held with members of the diplomatic community to usher in the New Year and later to mark Independence Day. (Story on A3). —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

President Marcos on Saturday urged foreign envoys to back the Philippines’ bid for a nonpermanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, touting the country’s experience in multilateral diplomacy, peacebuilding, consensus and cooperation.

Mr. Marcos made the call during the New Year vin d’honneur (wine of honor) for the diplomatic corps in Malacañang on Saturday evening, just before he made a toast to the ambassadors of the 54 nations and heads of 11 international groups in attendance.

Quipping that he is making a sales pitch, the President mentioned the country’s bid for one of the 10 nonpermanent seats in the UN Security Council for the 2027 to 2028 term.

“I take this opportunity anew to convey to your respective governments our earnest request for your support to our UN Security Council bid, and we hope for your support when the time comes that we are indeed sitting as a member of the Security Council,” Mr. Marcos said.

The UN Security Council is composed of China, France, the Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States as permanent members and 10 nonpermanent members. It is tasked to maintain international peace and security.

The Philippines last held a nonpermanent seat in the UN Security Council in the 2004 to 2005 term.

The President stressed the country is in “a very strong position to take on more leadership roles” that will allow Manila to advocate “consequential issues,” such as peace and security on the global stage.

Multilateralism efforts

He added the Philippines’ candidature for a nonpermanent seat in the UN Security Council “stands on our rich experience in building peace, forging consensus and finding new pacts for cooperation.”

Mr. Marcos said this is best highlighted in the country’s “unfaltering” deployment of more than 14,000 Filipino troops to 21 UN peacekeeping operations and special political missions across the world in the past 60 years.

“Our candidature is consistent with our long-held view that we need to further strengthen multilateralism efforts that will reform the Security Council and revitalize the General Assembly,” he added.

In his speech before the 77th UN General Assembly in New York in September 2022, Mr. Marcos cited the “success” of peace efforts in the Bangsamoro region in seeking the body’s support for its candidature in the UN Security Council.

In January, the President thanked Vietnam for its “confirmed support” for the Philippines’ bid for a UN Security Council seat during his state visit to Hanoi, Vietnam.

In his speech during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June, he said the Philippines will embrace its role as a “trusted partner, credible pathfinder and committed peacemaker” when elected to a seat in the UN Security Council.

Mr. Marcos also cited the Philippines’ pursuit of an independent foreign policy by broadening and strengthening its diplomatic reach and engagements with other nations.