The Philippines brings its solid track record and contributions to peace and justice to its candidature to the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027-2028 at elections to be held during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in June 2026 in New York.  

Amidst challenging global tides, our aspiration for just and lasting peace and prosperity for all remains. As a founding member of the United Nations, the Philippines offers its experienced and steady hands in helping steer the United Nations through the uncharted waters of the 21st century. 

The 10 Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a model regional organization building a Community of peaceful and caring societies, have endorsed the Philippines’ candidature.

PARTNER

At the United Nations Security Council, the Philippines will be a partner for strengthening peace based on trust, the rule of law, democratic values, and our common humanity.  Our Constitution renounces war as an instrument of national policy and upholds peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations.

As stated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the United Nations General Assembly, the Philippines builds partnerships for peace and sustainable development through dialogue and constructive engagement with all. In the face of diversity and divides, the Philippines will harness its experience as a bridge-builder and will take on this role with vigor when it sits in the Security Council, through its engagements with various Security Council subsidiary bodies and Member States.

Philippine diplomacy draws on a strong tradition of engagement and dialogue in solidarity with the community of nations and in the pursuit of just and humane societies that enable all peoples to enjoy the blessings of freedom, human rights, and independence. 

Our national values embrace inclusion and celebrate diversity. We are champions of the protection of vulnerable groups, especially children, youth, women, migrants, indigenous peoples, older persons, and persons with disabilities, and their agency for positive change. We are a safe haven for refugees and will continue to be so through our policies and international engagement. We believe that involving all stakeholders is key to bringing about enduring and empowering solutions. 

As exemplified in our leadership roles in the United Nations and its subsidiary bodies, the Philippines recognizes the importance of addressing counter-terrorism, disaster resilience, environmental protection, ocean governance, and maritime security. As an archipelagic and maritime state, our security interests are closely tied to the peace and order of the seas and oceans. We acknowledge threats like sea-level rise, which have security repercussions. This issue is close to the hearts of many nations, and the Philippines understands the value of addressing it through multilateral cooperation.

This outlook drives our commitment to the United Nations since its inception.  In 1945, we worked vigorously to give voice to the voiceless millions in developing countries – those who were still under the yoke of colonialism. We consider this to be one of our most important and enduring contributions to the United Nations Charter. As a founding member of the Group of 77 and a stalwart of the Non-Aligned Movement, we pursue equity and justice in the conduct of international relations, even as we work cross-regionally to build bridges towards consensus. 

To further strengthen multilateralism, we support reform of the UN Security Council, including its working methods, for greater inclusivity, transparency, and accountability given the importance of the Council's work for all nations, especially developing countries.

As a friend to all and an enemy to no one, the Philippines will continue to be a reliable partner in contributing to the maintenance of international peace and security and in addressing existing and emerging global challenges for our people and planet. We embrace the principles outlined in the United Nations Charter, promote the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, protect human rights, and enhance cooperation, dialogue and constructive engagement with all Member States and regional groupings.

PATHFINDER

Through dialogue, consensus-building, and collaborative problem-solving, the Philippines is dedicated to forging pathways to peace.  Our commitment starts within our borders, demonstrated in our decades-long quest to establish peace in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).  

The landmark peace agreement was achieved not by war, but through a sincere, inclusive, and participatory dialogue involving all that had a stake in the outcome – the opposing factions, women, youth, faith leaders, government, and civil society.  The road was long and arduous, but it was necessarily so, because sustainable peace requires that the peace dividends of socio-economic development, justice, and liberty be enjoyed by all participants at the negotiating table and on the ground.

Our experience in building peace is intricately linked to our development policy, which recognizes that normalizing a life free of violence opens new and better opportunities for our citizens. We wish to share these approaches and experiences with the international community as we support peace-building efforts in societies facing conflicts by serving on the UN Security Council. 

Respect for the rule of law is a fundamental principle for the Philippines. We prioritize maritime security and cooperation, peaceful settlement of disputes, adherence to the UN Charter, and international law as we endeavor to find solutions to problems towards lasting peace and security.

As new frontiers widen humanity’s horizon and advanced technologies transform human life, the Philippines takes a front seat in global conversations to future-proof our governance architecture to make sure that cyberspace and outer space, as well as artificial intelligence, are used responsibly for the common good and in a manner that protects our citizens and our common humanity from emerging technological threats.  

Our work reflects a commitment to address risks and challenges and to ensure access of all nations, especially developing countries, to these frontiers and technologies for sustainable development. 

We will bring the traditions of Philippine diplomacy in tapping synergies in partnerships and best practices to find enduring solutions for overcoming challenges such as terrorism, transnational crime, and climate change.

PEACEMAKER

Our tireless devotion to peace and the rule of law underpins our engagement with the community of nations.  We shepherded the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, an affirmation of the rule of law as the basis for harmonious relations among nations. We are strong supporters of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, maritime security cooperation, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.  

We also invest in peace through our active contributions to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, demonstrated by a proud 60-year peacekeeping tradition, having deployed over 14,000 Filipino peacekeepers to 21 United Nations peacekeeping and special political missions. We have gained experience in peacebuilding and have contributed to preventive diplomacy and post-conflict development on many occasions. We are ready to further enhance our contributions to UN Peacekeeping Operations in accordance with our peacekeeping tradition and in the pursuit for peace around the world.

Standing on its unwavering conviction that nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction pose the greatest threat to the survival of our peoples and planet, the Philippines also works to chart a common way forward towards the goal of a nuclear-free world.

We exercise leadership in negotiations on disarmament and emerging technologies, such as on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), cybersecurity, and Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS). 

Philippine commitment to non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is also reflected to our steadfast implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, especially UNSC resolution 1540 on trade, export, transit, and transshipment controls, which was adopted when the Philippines last served as a member of the Security Council in 2004. The Philippines adopted its own Strategic Trade Management Act to ensure strong national implementation of UNSC resolution 1540.

The Philippines chaired the Eighth Biennial Meeting of States on the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and recently hosted a regional Asia-Pacific workshop in cooperation with the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs to promote capacity-building and national action plans to curb illicit small arms and light weapons.  As party to all arms control and disarmament instruments such as the Arms Trade Treaty, Landmines Treaty, and all protocols of the Conventional Weapons Convention, we work for the universalization of these instruments and victim-oriented approaches in their implementation on the ground. We support national efforts and promote regional cooperation to address chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risks in Southeast Asia through the Center of Excellence in Manila.

The Philippines actively takes part in regional and international efforts to address shared security challenges, such as terrorism, transnational crime, and climate change.  We prioritize the women, peace and security, and the youth, peace and security agendas, as well as the issue of children in armed conflict. 

Amidst daunting and urgent security challenges, the Philippines is convinced that the United Nations Security Council remains vital as the premier international body mandated to promote collective action in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.  

At the UN General Assembly, President Marcos emphasized the need to reaffirm the wisdom of the founders of the United Nations – to transcend our differences and commit to ending war, upholding justice, respecting human rights, and maintaining international peace and security.

As a trusted partner, innovative pathfinder, and committed peacemaker, the Philippines is ready to play an active role in the UN Security Council.  

With the valuable support of UN Member States, we are motivated  to “be part of the solution” and work together for lasting peace, freedom, and prosperity in our world community.