PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is campaigning for the candidature of the Philippines in the United Nations Security Council, which is responsible for the maintenance of world’s peace and security.

In his intervention at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-United States Summit, the President pushed to become part of the 15-member council as he believed the Philippine experience “in building peace and forging new paths of cooperation, will be of additional help to the Security Council.”

“At this point, allow me to request the US’ support for the Philippines’ candidature, as the ASEAN candidate, to the UN Security Council for the term 2027-2028,” Marcos said.

“You may rest assured of the Philippines’ committed effort to enrich the work of the Security Council,” he added.

Photo courtesy of the Office of the President

In September at the UN General Assembly, Marcos first asked for support from the bloc’s member states to support the Philippines’ candidature to the body for the term of 2027-2028.

He cited the country’s success in attaining “lasting peace and sustainable development” in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

He has also been campaigning for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region as he expressed concern on its volatility amid various tensions and hostilities.

According to the UN website, the Security Council is composed of 15 member states—each of them has one vote—in deciding for the maintenance of international peace and security.

The council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression.

“It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement,” the UN described its functions.

“In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security,” it added.

China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the US are the council’s five permanent members.

The other members are: Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway and United Arab Emirates.