Philippines loses UNSC bid to Kyrgyztan

The Philippines failed to secure a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2027-2028 term after losing to Kyrgyzstan in a four-round election at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Wednesday.

Based on the final vote tally announced during the livestreamed UNGA, Kyrgyzstan won the sole Asia-Pacific seat with 142 votes, surpassing the required two-thirds majority of 128 votes from the 191 member states present and voting. The Philippines received 49 votes.

The Philippines garnered 85 votes in the first round, followed by 81 and 68 votes in the second and third rounds, respectively. This is against Kyrgyzstan’s 105 votes in the first round, 110 in the second, and 123 in the third before clinching victory in the fourth round.

The outcome ended Manila’s multi-year campaign for a seat on the 15-member Security Council.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. formally launched the country’s bid during his maiden address before the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly in September 2022, where he appealed for support from member states and highlighted the Philippines’ contributions to peacebuilding and international cooperation.

In March, Mr. Marcos traveled to UN headquarters in New York for a final diplomatic push, addressing a special plenary session and hosting a luncheon for permanent representatives of member states as part of efforts to secure support for the Philippine candidacy.

In a statement issued after the vote, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro said the Philippines respected the outcome of the election and congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its victory.

“We thank the international community for the support and goodwill extended to the Philippines throughout our candidacy,” Ms. Lazaro said.

She added that the country’s campaign was anchored on its “longstanding commitment to peace, dialogue, international law, and cooperation among nations.”

“The Philippines remains committed to working with all nations in pursuing peace, stability, sustainable development, and a rules-based international order,” she said.

Kyrgyzstan’s election marks the first time the Central Asian nation will serve on the Security Council since gaining independence in 1991.

The five countries elected to serve as non-permanent members for the 2027-2028 term were Kyrgyzstan, Zimbabwe, Trinidad and Tobago, Portugal, and Austria. They will assume their seats on Jan. 1, 2027, replacing Pakistan, Somalia, Greece, Denmark, and Panama. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking