Mr. President,

Two years ago, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. told the UN General Assembly that the “UN must forge ahead with its flagship tradition of global peacekeeping.”

Indeed, for 76 years now, UN peacekeepers have provided security and the political and peacebuilding support to help countries make the difficult, early transition from conflict to peace. We recognize the service and sacrifice of blue helmets, past and present, and pay tribute to the resilience of the communities they serve despite many obstacles to peace.

It is therefore fitting that all Member States of the United Nations must continue to come together in a collective effort to strengthen the effectiveness and resilience of peacekeeping operations, and deliberate on how the Security Council can do better to provide unified political support to peace operations in delivering on their mandates and to ensure they operate safely.

The Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security under the United Nations Charter. It determines when and where a UN peace operation should be deployed.

In the increasingly complex and evolving conflict environments around the world, the work of the Security Council in defining the mandate of peace operations is critical. A clear and streamlined mandate helps ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers and enables the implementation of measures to improve the preparedness and response of missions.

The Council must continue to work with a wide range of stakeholders and partners in the international community, especially Member States and host countries, as well as the Secretariat, based on agreed principles and political commitments, to ensure that peacekeeping operations are fit for the future. 

Lessons drawn from the UN’s over seven decades of peacekeeping experience must be distilled. We must build on these insights from across a range of experience in transitioning from conflict to peace.

Acknowledging the complex security environments in which our peacekeepers operate, let us take our cue from country-led and country-owned solutions – which are vital - as are multi-partner joint initiatives in security concerns, such as the UN Joint Appeal for Counter-Terrorism in Africa. There must be streamlined and coordinate support from funding partners and UN entities.

Today, I reiterate the commitment of the Philippines to the cause of UN Peacekeeping Operations around the world and our readiness to increase our engagement in this flagship endeavor of the UN.

For over six decades now, the Philippines has actively participated in UN Peacekeeping Operations around the world to contribute in collaborative endeavors to help make peace a reality.

Since the “Limbas Squadron” flew to the Congo in 1963, we have deployed over 14,000 Filipino peacekeepers to 21 United Nations peacekeeping and special political missions in Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific.

Filipino Peacekeepers have played critical roles not just in peacekeeping but also in rebuilding communities, healthcare, and promoting human rights, especially in regions affected by climate change and complex geopolitical conflicts.

We pledge to increase our contribution to UN Peacekeeping Operations around the world with more Filipino peacekeepers on the ground as our contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security and in rebuilding communities scared by conflicts.

The Philippines will continue to deploy military and police personnel in any area regardless of the security threat level. Our personnel will be following very strict standards of conduct and behavior in the performance of their peacekeeping duties.

The Philippines also commits to deploy more female peacekeepers in the future to enhance the holistic approach to peacekeeping operations. More skilled and trained female peacekeepers are vital to the success of peacekeeping operations.

In this regard, we will continue to ensure that our pledges under the UN Peacekeeping Readiness System are met. Our government is committed to make available all necessary resources for peacekeeping operations within the agreed response time.

Mr. President,

As a trusted partner, innovative pathfinder, and committed peacemaker, the Philippines will support all efforts to revitalize and further strengthen the effectiveness and resilience of UN Peacekeeping Operations for the benefit of present and future generations.

With its wealth of experience in peacekeeping and peacebuilding, especially in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in southern Philippines, the Philippines is ready to represent the interests of peace-loving Member States in the Security Council, if elected as a non-permanent member for the period 2027-2028. We thank and request your support for our Council candidature in this regard.

In the Council, we intend to constructively and concretely contribute in our collective efforts to forge a better future for all – where the rule of law, peace and security, fairness and justice govern our daily lives; where women and children are also active agents for peace and development.

As President Marcos Jr. declared “No nation stands alone. The achievement of our national ambition requires a global environment that creates conditions that allow all nations, including ours, to thrive in peace. We need the United Nations to continue to work. And we, the Philippines, are determined to be part of that solution.”

Thank you, Mr. President.