PH fails to secure UN Security Council seat

National

THE Philippines failed to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council after losing to Kyrgyzstan in four rounds of voting during the UN General Assembly on June 3.

Kyrgyzstan secured the lone Asia-Pacific seat for the 2027–2028 term after obtaining 142 votes in the fourth and final round, surpassing the required 128 votes needed for a two-thirds majority.

Receiving just 49 votes, it marked the first time the Philippines had lost a bid for a seat on the Security Council after previously securing seats in 1957, 1963, 1980–1981, and 2004–2005.

The Philippines trailed Kyrgyzstan throughout the voting process. In the first round, Kyrgyzstan received 105 votes against the Philippines’ 85. The gap widened in the succeeding rounds, with vote counts of 110–81 and 123–68 before Kyrgyzstan ultimately secured victory in the final ballot.

All votes were cast through a secret ballot by member states of the United Nations General Assembly.

With the victory, Kyrgyzstan will serve on the Security Council for the first time when its term begins in 2027.

Following the results, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines respects the decision of UN member states and extended congratulations to Kyrgyzstan. She also thanked countries that supported the Philippine campaign, a report by Philstar said.

Lazaro said the country's bid was anchored on its commitment to peace, dialogue, international law, and cooperation among nations.

The UN Security Council is considered the most powerful body within the United Nations and is tasked with maintaining international peace and security. The council is composed of 15 members, including five permanent members, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which hold veto powers that allow them to block resolutions regardless of the number of votes in favor.

The remaining 10 seats are occupied by non-permanent members elected by the 193-member General Assembly to serve two-year terms. These seats are distributed among different regional groups, with the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan competing for the Asia-Pacific allocation.

Although non-permanent members do not possess veto power, they participate in discussions and decisions involving global conflicts, sanctions, ceasefires, and peacekeeping operations. Unlike most General Assembly resolutions, Security Council decisions are binding on all UN member states.

The Philippines last served on the Security Council from 2004 to 2005 and had previously held seats in 1957, 1963, and 1980–1981.(Shanice Kaye Ocio, CNU Comm Intern)