MANILA — Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines has “earned” its place in global diplomacy as she led the country’s delegation in New York for its bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

“The Philippines isn’t just asking for a seat at the table; we’ve earned it through a proven track record of fostering global peace.”

In an Inquirer article published ahead of the UNSC election, Lazaro said the Philippines is “fully prepared” should it secure enough votes in the election scheduled on June 3.

“Manila’s candidacy for the 2027–2028 nonpermanent seat rests on decades of multilateral engagement—and arrives at a moment when the UN Security Council can least afford to waste it,” she said.

“At a time when the rules-based international order is under unprecedented stress, the composition of the Council matters more than ever.”

The Philippines, representing Southeast Asia, is competing with Kyrgyzstan for one seat allocated to the Asia-Pacific Group for the 2027–2028 term.

Observers have described the contest as a matter of regional rotation and equity among states with limited experience in the Council.

However, Lazaro said the Philippines intends to challenge that framing, citing Article 23 of the UN Charter, which she said prioritizes contributions to peace and security.

“Geography and turn-taking are secondary considerations,” she said.

“The Philippines filed its candidature in 2013 — four years before Kyrgyzstan entered the race — and the strength of its bid lies precisely in what Article 23 demands: a demonstrated record.”

Lazaro also said a “trusted voice” from Southeast Asia is needed amid growing challenges to the legitimacy of Western-led institutions.

“[H]aving a credible, trusted voice from Southeast Asia on the Security Council carries real strategic value — for the Council and for the multilateral system as a whole,” she said.

She added that the 2027–2028 UNSC term would require elected members to deal with armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, climate-security risks, and pressure on arms control and nonproliferation norms.

“The elected members who join the Council for that term will be called upon to do more than provide procedural quorum,” she said.

Lazaro said members must be able to “broker compromises, hold the line on international law, and lend legitimacy to Council action in a world increasingly skeptical of great-power institutions.”

“The Philippines has the track record, the relationships, and the diplomatic culture to play that role effectively,” she said.

“Manila has spent decades building the kind of trust — across regions, across development levels, across geopolitical blocs — that cannot be assembled quickly. The question before member states on June 3 is not which country deserves the seat, but which country can best use it. On that question, the Philippines’ case is strong.”

The UNSC is composed of five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members, tasked with maintaining international peace and security.

The UN General Assembly is set to elect five non-permanent members, or the incoming five (I-5), on June 3 at 10 a.m. (New York time), replacing outgoing members whose terms end in 2026.

Israel expresses support for PH bid

Israel has also publicly expressed support for the Philippines’ bid for a UNSC non-permanent seat.

Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh said Israel will back Manila in the upcoming vote in New York.

“We are hoping that the Philippines will get a seat in the Security Council and try to facilitate the world to lead to a better and peaceful world, and to back Israel in the international fora,” she said.

“We are sharing the same values and goal and we need to see how are we crafting the future of this world together. And God willing there will be peace prevailing.”

Kursh said the Philippines could make a significant contribution to the Council given its experience in diplomacy and peace-building.

“The Philippines is a great nation that can make a lot of impact in the multinational arena. So, God willing, if and when they will be announced tomorrow to have a seat at the UNSC, we are looking forward that they will continue with their leadership,” she said.