Marcos touts Philippines' 'global peace' commitment in bid for UN Security Council seat
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday used his keynote address at an international trade summit to underscore the country's role in maintaining global peace and stability, framing it as a key factor in the Philippines' bid for a seat on the powerful United Nations Security Council.
Speaking to local and international government officials on Monday, September 9, Marcos cited the Philippines' tenure holding non-permanent seat in the UN council two decades ago. The country, he said, "championed a framework" against the threat of non-state actors in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
"As the first Asian republic, the Philippines has always stood for principles over power. We were among the original framers of the United Nations (UN) Charter, and our commitment to peace and stability has been unwavering," Marcos said at the Strategic Trade Management Summit. It was the first time the Philippines hosted the event.
"Today, as we pursue a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027-2028, we are doubling down on that same commitment," the president added.
Marcos stressed the importance of cooperation in addressing modern security challenges, particularly those arising from rapid technological advancements.
The president recalled it was during his term as senator in 2015 that the 16th Congress in the Philippines passed Republic Act 10697, or the Strategic Trade Management Act, which regulates the export of dual-use goods (items that can be used for civilian and military purposes) to prevent them from being used as doomsday weapons.
For Marcos, the summit, which was attended by leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as the United States, Europe, Japan and Africa, is "not merely about managing trade."
"It is also about mitigating risks, promoting stability and confidence in our regulatory regimes, and ensuring that the tools of our progress do not become weapons of our destruction," the president added.
Marcos also highlighted the Philippines' ongoing efforts to modernize its trade regulations and strengthen its supply chain security. While he acknowledged the Philippines' improved standing in the Peddling Peril Index — a global ranking of the effectiveness of countries' strategic trade controls — he said more needs to be done.
"By leveraging our collective strengths, we can advance regional initiatives that ensure supply chain security, counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and insurgency, and create an environment where trade can thrive," Marcos said.
The Philippines' bid. The Philippines’ planned for a non-permanent seat at the UN’s main body for maintaining international peace and solidarity was first announced by Marcos during his speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2022.
Fierce competition for spots on the 15-member UN Security Council—regarded as the world's most influential international body—has driven nations like the Philippines to begin campaigning years in advance.
Securing a seat allows countries to vote on critical resolutions that authorize the use of force to uphold or restore global peace and security.
The five countries serving as permanent members in the UN Security Council are China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States. Their seats were historically granted in the aftermath of World War II and there is a lack of mechanism for removing permanent members.
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