MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed pride on Philippines’ efforts in addressing climate change, disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, and sustainable development, as he vowed to bring the major advocacies if the country is elected to the United Nations Security Council for 2027-2028.
“I’m proud of the Philippines’ efforts to build bridges on issues ranging from climate action to disarmament and non-proliferation, from sustainable development to equitable global health cooperation,” President Marcos said in his keynote address at the opening of the 21st edition of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
“In all our multilateral engagements, we seek to bridge global conversations with our unique regional perspectives. In all our multilateral engagements, we seek to bridge global conversations with our unique regional perspectives. Just as Indo-Pacific states must determine our own destiny, so too must we be active participants in charting the future of the world. We must shape the rules. We must build those bridges,” he said.
It is in this context that the Philippines is actively seeking to amplify Indo-Pacific voices in global conversations on the issue of lethal autonomous weapon systems, President Marcos said.
The country is also seeking regional consensus regarding the development of norms of responsible behavior in outer space and cyberspace, he added.
“We will bring our experience as a trusted partner, credible pathfinder, and committed peacemaker when elected to the [United] Nations Security Council for the term of 2027-2028,” President Marcos told the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Beyond the regional horizon, Marcos recognized the importance of upholding multilateralism, saying it remains the single viable platform for collective action against transcendent global challenges.
Nations must therefore step back from the precipice of paralysis and should transcend geopolitics, find common ground, and work to strengthen global institutions, the President pointed out.
This, however, requires active leadership on the part of middle powers, which have the capacity to cross political and ideological lines, forge genuine consensus, and lead credible efforts towards decisive multilateral solutions, President Marcos told the IISS dialogue.
The Dialogue hosted more than 550 delegates from the defense and security establishments of more than 40 nations around the world. (PCO)
