New york: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday announced that the Philippines is aiming to garner wider international support for its bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The elections for the UNSC term of 2027-2028 are scheduled for June 2026.

According to Philippines News Agency, DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Angelica Escalona revealed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is slated to address a special session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on March 9 and 10. In his speech, Marcos plans to emphasize the Philippines' enduring commitment to the United Nations since its inception in 1945.

Escalona highlighted that during his address, the President will focus on how the Philippines has consistently and constructively engaged with the United Nations and its member states since the organization's founding. She further explained that the Philippines has been a proponent of the rule of law, multilateralism, sustainable development, climate resilience, humanitarian efforts, and the promotion of human rights, particularly for vulnerable groups in conflict scenarios.

She underscored that securing a seat on the UNSC would amplify the Philippines' voice in matters of global peace and security, which are closely linked to national interests such as sovereignty, maritime security, the global economy, and the welfare of overseas Filipino workers. Historically, the Philippines served as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in 1957, 1963, 1980-1981, and 2004-2005.

The Philippines has demonstrated its commitment to UN peacekeeping since 1963, dispatching nearly 15,000 Filipino peacekeepers to participate in 21 peacekeeping operations and special political missions. Escalona also mentioned that the country is considering an earlier invitation to join a proposed 'Board of Peace,' as previously suggested by Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez.