UMVA has learned that the Philippines has failed to secure a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2027-2028 term, losing to Kyrgyzstan in a highly contested four-round election at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The final vote count revealed that Kyrgyzstan won the sole Asia-Pacific seat with an overwhelming 142 votes, surpassing the required two-thirds majority of 128 votes from the 191 member states present and voting. In stark contrast, the Philippines received a mere 49 votes, a significant shortfall from its initial 85 votes in the first round.
As the election progressed, the Philippines garnered 81 and 68 votes in the second and third rounds, respectively, but was consistently outpaced by Kyrgyzstan, which secured 105 votes in the first round, 110 in the second, and 123 in the third before clinching victory in the fourth round. This marked a decisive defeat for Manila's multi-year campaign for a seat on the 15-member Security Council.
The Philippines' bid for a Security Council seat was formally launched by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. during his maiden address before the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly in September 2022. He appealed for support from member states, highlighting the country's contributions to peacebuilding and international cooperation, and later made a final diplomatic push in March.
Despite the setback, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro issued a statement expressing the Philippines' respect for the election outcome and congratulating Kyrgyzstan on its historic victory. She emphasized that the country's campaign was built on its longstanding commitment to peace, dialogue, international law, and cooperation among nations.
Kyrgyzstan's election marks a significant milestone, as the Central Asian nation will serve on the Security Council for the first time since gaining independence in 1991. The five countries elected to serve as non-permanent members for the 2027-2028 term are Kyrgyzstan, Zimbabwe, Trinidad and Tobago, Portugal, and Austria, who will assume their seats on January 1, 2027.
