Non-permanent seat: Kyrgyzstan is fighting with the Philippines for the only mandate in the UN Security Council

On June 3, the UN General Assembly will decide by secret ballot who will become a non-permanent member of the Security Council for 2027-2028 from the Asia-Pacific Group. Initially, the Philippines was considered the undisputed favorite, having enlisted the support of many countries. However, Kyrgyzstan has been actively gaining points lately. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

Attempt number two

"Tensions are rising in the world, wars are continuing, and the international system needs a more equitable representation of different countries. In these circumstances, issues of inclusive and fair representation of UN member states in the Security Council and its ability to maintain legitimacy as a decision—making body on behalf of the entire international community come to the fore," Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said, urging heads of state ahead of the election of non—permanent members of the Security Council to support Bishkek's candidacy.

Photo: TASS/Cristina Matuozzi

He stressed that Kyrgyzstan, like 60 other countries, has never been a member of the UN Security Council. At the same time, the Philippines, considered the main favorite from the Asia-Pacific Group, has already been a member four times. Manila sat on the Security Council in 1957, 1963, from 1980 to 1981, and from 2004 to 2005.

Bishkek's election would be "the restoration of historical justice and would give small, developing and landlocked countries a greater voice in global security issues," the head of state noted.

The Kyrgyz leader promised that if included in the Security Council, his country, which is not bound by block obligations, "will act in the council as a supporter of pragmatic, depoliticized and sustainable solutions." Japarov added that after settling border issues with its neighbors in the region, Kyrgyzstan received their unanimous support.

He also announced the country's intention to defend the principles of transparency and complete rejection of weapons of mass destruction at the UN. More than $3 trillion is allocated annually for military purposes that could "ensure a decent life for all mankind," the president noted.

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov

Photo: TASS/Sergey Bulkin

The UN Security Council has five permanent members: Russia, the United States, China, Britain and France, as well as 10 non-permanent members who are elected for two years.

In addition to the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan, which are running for one seat from the Asia-Pacific Group, Austria, Germany and Portugal are competing for two seats on the council as part of the Western European groups, Zimbabwe is competing for one seat from Africa, and Trinidad and Trinidad is competing for one seat from Latin America and the Caribbean. Tobago.

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Kyrgyzstan has already tried to get into the Security Council once, in 2011. However, at that time the country was recovering from another coup d'etat and could not get enough support. The place eventually went to Pakistan. Among the Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan was a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2017-2018.

A more experienced player

The Philippines, considered Kyrgyzstan's main rival, is not only an experienced state that has already sat in the Security Council, but also a key U.S. ally in the Indo-Pacific region. In March, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the UN headquarters in New York to personally support Manila's candidacy.

Photo: TASS/Valery Sharifulin

"The Philippines has repeatedly proved its independence, reliability, innovative approach and dedication to the cause of peacekeeping," he said, addressing the UN General Assembly.

The Philippine Foreign Ministry notes that Manila has earned this place due to its "significant contribution to international peace and security," as stated in Article 23 (1) of the UN Charter.

"As the current ASEAN Chairman, Manila has been actively engaged in building trust regarding Myanmar and the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border, demonstrating its ability to conduct delicate regional diplomacy while maintaining multilateral legitimacy. The Philippines has consistently advocated deepening institutional ties between the United Nations and regional organizations," said the country's Foreign Minister, Maria Teresa Lazaro.

She noted that since the 1960s, the Philippines has sent more than 15,000 military and police personnel to 21 UN peacekeeping missions covering Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia.

Photo: TASS/FRANCIS R. MALASIG

"Manila consistently advocates de—escalation and dialogue in the Middle East, Ukraine and throughout Africa - positions that reflect principles rather than simply matching the preferences of great powers," the diplomat said.

Who's for whom

It is believed that among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, the Philippines enjoys the support of the United States, Britain and France, while Russia and China support Kyrgyzstan. At the same time, China, one of Kyrgyzstan's key economic partners and a strategic rival of the Philippines in the maritime dispute, is trying to take a neutral position, trying not to aggravate relations with ASEAN by directly lobbying against Manila.

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A Philippine victory "could draw new international attention to Myanmar, which continues to face significant humanitarian and political challenges after years of instability," said Christopher Ankersen, a professor of global studies at New York University.

Daniel Forti, head of the UN Relations Department at the International Crisis Group, shares a similar position. "The Philippines' application may provide an opportunity to raise the problems of Southeast Asia to a higher level in the most influential UN body. The elected members represent not only their national interests, but also the interests of their neighbors," he believes.

Photo: TASS/IGOR KOVALENKO

Meanwhile, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev, speaking at an open debate of the UN Security Council in New York, noted that "the UN Security Council is not a closed club and not a space only for the most influential countries, but a body to which all member states have entrusted the maintenance of international peace and security."

"Our region is well aware that unresolved border issues, if neglected, can become a source of tension. At the same time, with political will and dialogue, even the most sensitive issues can be resolved peacefully. This is exactly the vision Kyrgyzstan seeks to bring to the Security Council," the Minister concluded.

For Kyrgyzstan to win, it needs the support of two thirds of the General Assembly, i.e. 125 votes. Bishkek's task is to prevent the Philippines from winning in the first round by moving the vote to the next rounds, so that it can make even greater diplomatic efforts to advance in the Security Council.