Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo delivers a message at the East-West Center International Media Conference 2024 at the PICC in Manila on June 24, 2024. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The Philippines will campaign for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this week, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said on Saturday.

The Philippines has been campaigning in recent years to be one of the 10 non-permanent members of the UN panel tasked to maintain international peace and security.

"An important mission for me as Secretary while attending this year's High-level week is to campaign for the Philippines' bid to a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the term 2027-2028," Manalo said in a statement.

"The Philippines is making positive headway in its campaign for the UNSC, secure in our proven track record of being a dependable partner, pathfinder and peacemaker in world affairs, with eight decades of multilateral diplomacy experience as a founding member of the UN and having previously sat in the UNSC four times," he said.

The statement comes ahead of Manalo's attendance in the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he is expected to lead the Philippine delegation in several high-level meetings.

The DFA chief is also expected to join other world leaders in the "Summit of the Future," where nations will "forge a new international consensus on how to deliver a better world for present and future generations."

"The Summit, under the theme 'Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,' aims to strengthen global cooperation in addressing the most pressing challenges of our time," he said.

"During the Summit, we eagerly anticipate the adoption of the Pact for the Future as a pivotal step towards revitalizing multilateralism and steering global cooperation towards a shared vision of peace, security, and sustainable development," Manalo  said.

The Philippines is prepared to "contribute to a more resilient, inclusive, and equitable world for present and future generations" and is "committed to strengthening the United Nations' role in addressing today's complex crises," he said, noting that among these conflicts are frictions in geopolitical and maritime domains.

"The Philippines is a steadfast champion of multilateralism, recognizing it as the most potent instrument for addressing global challenges," the Secretary said.

"Since 1945, we have aligned ourselves with the community of nations, upholding multilateral cooperation as the key to preserving peace and security," he said.

In 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sought the UN's support for the Philippines' Security Council bid, citing the "success" of Manila's peace treaty in the southern Bangsamoro region in the Philippines to promote the country's candidacy.

READ: Marcos seeks UN support of PH candidature to Security Council

In January this year, Marcos Jr. thanked Vietnam for its "confirmed support" for the Philippines' bid to get a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council for 2027 to 2028.

"The Philippines wishes to thank Vietnam for its confirmed support for the Philippines' bid to the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member for the term 2027 to 2028, with a confirmed arrangement of reciprocal support with Vietnam–for Vietnam's UNSC for the term 2020 to 2021," Marcos Jr. said during his meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh here.

"The Philippines stands ready to work with other countries towards a long-lasting resolution to the conflict in accordance with pertinent UN Security Council Resolutions and general principles of international law," he said.

The Philippines and Vietnam are among the nations with overlapping claims in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway where trillions-worth of seaborne goods pass through annually.

While Manila and Hanoi are able to peacefully resolve their maritime woes, both countries have been pushing to keep Chinese vessels from illegally claiming parts of their respective exclusive economic zones.

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The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said that securing a seat in the UN Security Council is "very important" for the Philippines.

"We'll be able to engage in the most important dialogues and debates and vote on important issues," he said. "We have interests in the rule of law and international law, maintaining peace and stability," DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega earlier said.

"We have millions of Filipinos overseas and we need the world to continue living and aspiring for goals for which the UN was created," he added.

The primary responsibility of the UN Security Council, composed of 15 members, is to maintain international peace and security.

The council's five permanent members are China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Current temporary members include Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates.

The last time the Philippines assumed one of the elected seats in the Security Council was for the term 2004-2005.

The Philippines is also expected to host other meetings in the sidelines of this year's UNGA, including a panels on promoting High Ambition for the High Seas: Accelerating Political Momentum for Ratification and Implementation of the High Seas Treaty, and a discussion on Accountability for Environmental Violations and Crimes.