Manila, Philippines – The Philippines failed to secure a seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member.
Zimbabwe, Austria, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago and Kyrgyzstan were named as new members of the UNSC.
These countries can now issue legally binding resolutions to the council, including military action, economic sanctions, and the deployment of peacekeeping operations.
In the fourth round of voting for the Asia-Pacific group, members again voted between the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan after failing to secure a two-thirds majority.
However, after the votes were counted, Kyrgyzstan won its first-ever Security Council seat.
In March, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed confidence in the Philippines’ candidacy for the UNSC, emphasizing the advantage that Manila has in its strong record of engagement with the UN over the past year.
However, the Philippines said it respects the decision of the member states of the security council, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro conveyed her remarks to the Kyrgyz Republic.
Lazaro also thanked the international community for its support amid the Philippines’ candidature, which is anchored in peace, dialogue, international law, and cooperation among all countries.
Notwithstanding this, the Philippines remains committed to working with all countries towards the pursuit of peace, sustainable development, and a rules-based international order.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News