MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will call for peace in the Middle East when he participates at the special session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday. The president will also address the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) during his working visit from March 8 to 11.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Angelica Escalona told a pre-departure briefing that Marcos would discuss international issues, such as the Middle East crisis, during his visit to the United States on March 8 to 11.
"This trip is very important amid what is currently happening in the Middle East," Escalona said during a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang.
"The President will offer a voice from our region, from developing countries and call for restraint, respect for international law, including the UN charter and humanitarian law and for all concerned to return to the negotiating table for peace," he added.
Escalona said Marcos would also meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of his US visit.
The President will also address and deliver a message before the special session of the UNGA, where he will reiterate the Philippines' campaign to become a member of the UN Security Council.
The President will be accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Acting Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez, Sen. Erwin Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and other government officials.
Marcos has made five visits to the United States, becoming the foreign country that he has visited the most during his administration.
The President's last visit to the US was in July 2025, meeting with President Donald Trump.
But the DFA official said Marcos would not meet with Trump and other state leaders in this trip.
