PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres to tackle various issues, including the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Marcos and Guterres held a bilateral meeting at the UN headquarters in New York on the sidelines of the president’s working visit to the United States, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.
The PCO said the two leaders’ meeting reaffirmed the “long-standing partnership between the Philippines and the global body.”
“The meeting is a strong testament to the Philippines’ long-standing partnership with the UN and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation, as reflected in the country’s Security Council candidature,” the PCO said.
The president was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN in New York Ambassador Enrique Manalo, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, and acting Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez.
Marcos last met Guterres in October 2025 at the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Guterres expressed his appreciation for Marcos’ efforts in promoting peace and democracy in the Philippines, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.
Castro said Guterres expressed hope that the Philippines’ voice would continue to be heard in the UN, as he described the country as a “bridge-builder.”
The Philippines is vying for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council, with the elections to be held on June 3.
The UN Security Council, composed of 15 members (five permanent and 10 non-permanent), is primarily responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
A non-permanent member serves temporarily on the council to help make decisions regarding international peace and security and is elected by the UN Member States.
The five permanent members are China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Ten non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
Guterres also expressed the UN’s full support for the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Asean, noting the regional bloc’s crucial role in strengthening global cooperation.
He commended Asean for upholding the primacy of international law and respecting the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
In response, Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment as a “proud partner” and one of the founding members of the UN.
