UN chief lauds PBBM’s peace efforts in PH

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

MEETING. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday (March 9, 2026, New York time) meets with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN Headquarters in New York to discuss various issues, especially the Philippines’ candidature to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. The bilateral meeting between Marcos and Guterres reaffirms the long-standing partnership between the Philippines and the global body. (Photo; PNA/Facebook)

NEW YORK CITY– United Nations (UN) Secretary General António Guterres on Monday (New York time) expressed his appreciation for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s efforts in promoting peace and democracy in the Philippines.

Guterres and Marcos met on the sidelines of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the UN headquarters here.

During the meeting, Guterres wished Marcos well in the Philippines’ campaign for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC), Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters.

Gutierres, Castro said, expressed hope that the Philippines’ voice would continue to be heard in the UN, as he described the country as a “bridge-builder” within the global body.

“He also wished the President the best in campaigning for our candidature. The Philippines has been known in the UN as the bridgebuilder and he wants to see and hear the voice of the Philippines in the UN as loud as possible,” Castro said.

The Philippine candidature for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC), of which the elections will be held on June 3, will be a manifestation of a further reaffirmation of this long-term relationship.

Guterres also expressed the UN’s full support for the Philippines’ chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (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 (UNCLOS).

Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment as a “proud partner” and one of the founding members of the UN.

He also recalled his previous meeting with Guterres in October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where they discussed developments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Marcos noted progress in the region and shared that elections in BARMM are expected to be held this year.

He thanked the UN for playing an important role in the development of BARMM, particularly through the financial support provided by various UN agencies to help advance peace and progress in the region.