UNSC Election Debate with Asia Pacific Candidates

Good afternoon. We're going to get started. Excellencies, colleagues and friends, my name is William Yodav. I am the Senior Education Officer of the World Federation of United Nations Associations on behalf of Ufuna. Welcome to this special UN Security Council briefing with the candidates for the Asia and the Pacific Regional group for the 2027 and 2028 term of the UN Security Council. The World Federation of United Nations Associations is a global nonprofit organization representing and coordinating a membership of over 100 national United Nations Associations around the world and their thousands of constituents. We work to build a better world by strengthening and improving the United nations through the engagement of people who share a global mindset and support international cooperation. The Security Council is a crucial organ of the UN architecture and charged with the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security, a responsibility that has become increasingly difficult amidst the challenges to multilateralism that we face today. Today's briefing is part of wefuna's wider efforts to further transparency and accountability of the Security Council, an initiative we launched in 2016 to answer the calls of Member states and civil society to improve access to the Council. These briefings are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the United nations system in order to achieve a Council that is prepared and efficient in its means of addressing the complex and multidimensional challenges of the 21st century. We believe that people's involvement in all levels of local, national and global decision making is essential in order to achieve the goals of the United Nations. This is our ninth year of the election series where we are joined today by two contested UN Security Council candidates seeking election for a non permanent Asia Pacific seat on the council for the 2027, 2028 term. This is our final event in our election series. Having previously hosted an event for the contested seats within the Western European and others group and two uncontested seats candidates yesterday. We are delighted to be here with you this afternoon and grateful for the participation of our UN Security Council candidates, all of whom with us today run for the Council. I thank the Ambassadors for being here and I will now give the floor to the Ambassadors for their opening remarks. And we will go in alphabetical order. And so we will start with the Ambassador from Kyrgyzstan. Thank you.

Thank you. Dear Bill Excellencies, dear colleagues, friends, representatives of civil society. First allow me to sincerely thank the

V FUNA for organizing this important dialogue in such very important moment for our organization.

And let me also warmly acknowledge my

distinguished colleague from the Philippines, the Ambassador Enrique.

Excellency. We have had the privilege of campaigning

alongside one another over These past few

years, we deeply respect the Philippines, its distinguished diplomatic tradition, and the gracious spirit with which this campaign has been conducted. For us, this is not simply an election campaign. For Kyrgyzstan, this is a national journey. In just a few weeks, in two weeks, the member states of the United nations will decide whether a young nation of 7 million people, a country that gained independence only 35 years ago, will take its seat for the first time

ever on the Security Council.

And I must tell you honestly, my entire country is watching this moment with hope, emotion and enormous pride. Because for Kyrgyzstan, this is not only about a seat. It's about arrival. It's about completion of a long chapter of state building, democratic transition, national consolidation, and international engagement. After the end of Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, we come before the world not as a country of inherited privilege, but as a country that built itself from the ground up. And perhaps that is exactly why so many countries, especially from the developing countries world and the Global south, recognize themselves in our story. We know what it means to struggle with the development challenges. We know what it means to build institutions under pressure. We know what it means to balance debt, jobs, migration, education, climate vulnerability and social transformation all at once. We are not speaking theoretically about the Global South. We are part of it. We represent its aspirations, its anxieties, and increasingly, its confidence. Today, Kyrgyzstan is one of the youngest societies in Eurasia. Our median age is barely over 27. More than half our population is under 30. And our young people are not looking backward. They are looking outward toward innovation, technology, education, entrepreneurship and global engagement. Over the last five years, our economy has undergone a remarkable transformation. But what matters even more is not only growth itself. It is what the growth allows us to become. For the first time in modern history, Kyrgyzstan is beginning to move from being primarily a recipient of international solidarity to becoming a contributor to international responsibility. That transformation matters deeply to us. This is why our president and government have announced new commitments to international development, peace building, climate action and south south cooperation. We are increasing our contribution to multilateral initiatives. We are expanding our support for vulnerable countries, including small island developing States. We are strengthening our peace building commitments and humanitarian partnership. And yes, as our economy grows, Kyrgyzstan intends to steadily move toward internationally recognized benchmarks of development, solidarity and international assistance colleagues, because we believe that every country, however small, must contribute to the common good. And this is also why Kyrgyzstan is expanding its diplomatic footprint across the world. We have opened new embassies. We are strengthening our engagement in Africa. We are opening in Addis Ababa. We are opening in Cairo. We are preparing for deep engagement in Latin America, including Brasilia. Our Foreign minister today, even we speak, is traveling across capitals of Africa and the developing world. Because we believe diplomacy must be present, respectful and personal. Kyrgyzstan is not asking to sit at the table in order to be seen. We are ready to work. And we believe that today the Security Council needs countries that understand the daily realities of the majority of humanity. Countries that know what food insecurity means, what water stress means, what migration means, what debt vulnerability means, what climate vulnerability means, what it means to build peace between neighbors while still building your own state. This is one of the reasons why our experience in Central Asia matters. Our region was once associated with closed borders, tensions, and geopolitical rivalry. Today, Central Asia is increasingly becoming a region of dialect, reconciliation, connectivity, and cooperation. Kyrgyzstan has played an active role in peacefully resolving border issues. We just have our resolution advancing regional cooperation and. And building trust among neighbors. We believe deeply that preventive diplomacy works, that dialect works, that patient diplomacy works. And this is the spirit we would bring to the Security Council. Kyrgyzstan may be a small country, but small countries often understand the value of peace most profoundly, because instability affects us first and hardest. And that is why we have consistently supported UN peacekeeping efforts. Our servicemen and women have participated in UN missions. Our diplomats have engaged actively in mediation and peace building efforts. And we stand ready to deepen these contributions further. Excellencies, colleagues. For nearly five years now, I have had privilege of representing my country, Kyrgyzstan, here at the United Nations. I have sat in these halls during moments of war, division, polarization, and growing distrust. But I have also seen something else. I have seen that despite all frustrations that we have today, the United nations remains the one place where every country, large or small, still has a voice. And perhaps that is why this election matters so much to country like ours. Because for a nation that was unknown to much of the world only three decades ago, to stand today before the international community as a serious candidate for the Security Council is itself a testament to what the United nations makes possible. A generation ago, Kyrgyzstan was finding its place in the world. Today, Kyrgyzstan is ready to help shape it. We come not with arrogance, but with confidence. Not with entitlement, but with purpose. Not to represent only ourselves, but to help amplify the voices of developing nations, smaller states, mountain countries, landlocked countries, small developing island states, and emerging societies that increasingly seek a greater role in global governance. And if entrusted with the responsibility, Kyrgyzstan will serve with humility, professionalism, independence, and energy. Because we know exactly what is opportunity, what this opportunity means to us not only for our government, but not only for our diplomats, for my team, but for every young citizen in our mountains and valleys who will see, perhaps for the first time, that even a small country as Kyrgyzstan can stand confidently at the center of global affairs.

I thank you

thank you, your Excellency for your opening remarks. I now give the floor to his Excellency Ambassador Manalo of the Philippines. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Youf and Good afternoon, Excellencies, colleagues, partners in civil society, and of course my dear friend and colleague, Ambassador Ida. I know we have worked very hard together over the past years on our respective candidatures. I would like to thank the for this opportunity to present the Philippines candidature for the United Nations Security Council for a non permanent seat for the term 2027-28. The Philippines formally lodged its candidature in February of 2013 and our candidature has been endorsed by 11 member states of the association of Southeast Asian nations, or asean. And we have the honor this year of chairing the asean. The Philippines presents its candidature with a great sense of responsibility, namely to promote the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter as well as the collective interests of the wider UN membership. As our President, President Marcos Jr. Said at the General assembly session last March, we are, quote, mindful that a non permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council is not a right of any State, but a privilege earned through consistent, dedicated, meaningful and concrete partnership in the service of the United nations and so of humanity. As stated among Others in Article 23 of the United Nations Charter, the General assembly shall elect 10 other members of the United nations to be non permanent members of the Security Council, due regard being specially paid in the first instance to the contribution of members of the United nations and to the maintenance of international peace and security and to other purposes of the organization. And ever since the creation of the United nations, the Philippines as a founding member has contributed consistently and substantively to its work across the three pillars peace and Security, development and human rights. Examples include the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, a comprehensive peace agreement in the Bangsamora Autonomous Region in the Southern Philippines, and most recently the adoption of the Makati Declaration on Middle Income Countries. We also have worked long with fellow developing countries, including as an original member of the group of 77 in China and as a member of the Non Aligned Movement. Our candidacy is guided by the conviction that multilateralism works best when it is inclusive, principled and grounded in cooperative action. The Security Council now operates in an increasingly complex and polarized political landscape, reaching consensus becomes even more challenging. In such a context, effectiveness lies in the ability to build trust, bridge differences and deliver practical outcomes. Our candidature speaks to inclusivity as we offer a voice and perspective from the Asia Indo Pacific region, from developing countries, from middle income countries, from archaeologic countries, and from climate vulnerable nations, among others. We understand the importance of multilateral dialogue, partnership and principled engagement buttressed by strong bilateral relationships with a very significant number of Member States of the United nations present in this room in areas such as trade, investment, security, and more importantly, people to people networks. As a Council member, we will adopt a proactive approach, listening and engaging with all stakeholders. If elected, allow me to share some of our priorities. First, we will uphold the primacy of the United Nations Charter and the rule of law, which are increasingly critical to the maintenance of international peace and security and multilateral cooperation. My experience in chairing the Sixth Committee of the General assembly at this session has further reaffirmed the importance of these principles. Secondly, we will seek to strengthen peacekeeping, peacemaking and peace building efforts, drawing from more than six decades of peacekeeping experience and the service of over 15,000 peacekeepers across 22 UN missions. We will continue advancing the issue of women, peace and security, informed by our own peace building experience in the southern Philippines and our belief that sustainable peace flourishes with the full and meaningful participation of women. Fourthly, we will work with others in the Council in aiming to increase the visibility of the nexus between climate action, humanitarian response, and human and international peace and security. Fifthly, we will seek to promote stronger cooperation between the Security Council and regional organizations such as the African Union, through appropriate mechanisms on matters such as conflict prevention and resolution anchored on local and regional ownership. Sixthly, we will support efforts to make the Security Council more transparent, inclusive, accountable and responsive to the needs of the wider membership and concerned states. Excellency, Building on our experience and track record over the past 80 years since the founding of United nations, the Philippines is ready to serve on the Council and is committed to working constructively, reaching out to and effectively engaging all countries, not only here in New York, but also in our capital and around the world through our network of of nearly 100 foreign service posts. Based on all of this, you will find the Philippines as a reliable partner, an innovative pathfinder and a committed peacemaker, ready to work with all of you in advancing peace, stability and our collective security. Thank you very much.

I thank your Excellency for your opening remarks. And now we will move on to the Q and A segment beginning with member states who have indicated that they wish to pose a question to the candidates. Moving on to presubmitted questions from the NGO and CSO representatives. We will then take questions from the floor if time allows. Interaction should focus on the work of the UN Security Council and involve both candidates. If any Member state or civil society representative here is interested in asking a question and did not indicate so beforehand, you are welcome to do so when we open the floor. After discussing the pre submitted questions, please keep in mind that once the floor opens, priority will be given to permanent missions who wish to ask a question after all questions have been exhausted. We will end the briefing with closing remarks from the UN Security Council candidates in reverse order. This event is being live streamed on UNWEPTV and live tweeted. For those watching online, we encourage you to participate using the UNSC elections which are on all your digital nameplates. If we run into any technical difficulties, please be patient as we try to resolve them as soon as possible. Now we will begin. We have four member States that indicated they wish to ask a question. I will take two questions from first from Austria and then Poland. And then we will allow the ambassadors to answer them. And then we will take two more questions from Member states. The Permanent Mission of Austria, you have the floor.

Yes. Thank you very much. Thank you very much to Wafuna for organizing this debate. And thank you very much to Ambassador Katimalieva and Ambassador Manalo for engaging in this exercise of transparency. We know what it means to be in the hot seat. So thank you very much for engaging with us today as a candidate for the Security Council for the same term as the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan. A question that we think about quite a lot is what would constitute a successful Security Council term for us? And we would like to hear from you what you think about this question. Thank you.

Sorry. We'll also take the question from Poland and then have responses. Yes, Poland, Go ahead. The light is. The light is on.

Okay, so thank you for organizing this debate. We appreciate the active participation of the ambassadors. Respect for international law was one of Poland's key priorities during our recent term on the Security Council. Breaches of even the most fundamental provisions of the UN Charter remain among the most significant challenges facing both the international community and the organization itself. Violation of legal obligations in the sphere of peace and security are particularly concerning. And the question is, how do you intend to address the growing trend of disregard for international law and the UN Charter, including by the fellow members of the Council during your Term.

I thank you, Ambassador Manalo, you have the floor.

Yes, both questions.

Thank you very much. So I think I'll address first the question from our colleague from Austria on, as I understand what we feel be a successful term in the Security Council. Well, let me first say, and I really speak in more qualitative terms, I think what we will consider to be, and hopefully we will be considering this at the end of a term, is having perhaps achieved and creating greater partnerships and cooperation among the members of the Security Council, not only with the E10 and let's say leveraging the E10, but also using the E10 to work together with the permanent members, working together as a team to contribute positively to the work of the Security Council and of course, improving the culture and work of the Council. If we could achieve something like that, we would have considered that. We will consider that as something we would consider successful and also creating a positive impact, because we think building trust and confidence among the members in addressing the many issues that are confronting the Security Council are very important. And if we can serve as a bridge builder and achieving some kind of trust and competence, we feel that we might be able to achieve results. And if we can do so, we would consider that as having been having served the Security Council successfully, but even more importantly having served the wider membership more successfully, which we feel is the ultimate purpose of the members of the Council. So if we can create that kind of result, then I would consider our being in the Council as successful. In terms of the question of a colleague from Poland on international law, first, let me say that the Philippines consistently through the years, has strongly supported and believed in the primacy of the UN Charter, international law and the rule of law as essential to maintaining international peace and security and cooperation. And we will be guided by that particular mantra. And we believe international law should, as much as possible, be applied consistently and universally, especially treaties which have been agreed to by parties. And we will be devoted to promoting the settlement of disputes through peaceful means, through dialogue and diplomacy. And that is what we will urge in the Council in seeking to address these issues, that we have to use international law and the rule of law as a basis for trying to achieve breakthroughs on issues where there is no consensus yet or where there are conflicts, etc. And I think the Philippines has also shown this, as I mentioned earlier, by, through the adoption of the Manila Declaration on the peaceful settlement of disputes, which we are also guided by. And we will try and bring that spirit to the. To the work of the Council. And I might also say that during my chairmanship of the Sixth Committee this session, I saw that many countries, if not all countries, were voicing the importance of international law. And I think that really the real challenge is how to harness this and bring it into the work of the Security Council. And we will try to in any way possible try and create greater visibility and try and greater awareness with our partners, let's say in the E10 and with the permanent members on the importance of international law and seeing where we can incorporate this in the various issues or decisions of the Council.

Thank you for those answers. Ambassador Kasimalieva, you have the floor.

Thank you for the questions answering for the first question from the Austria so Kyrgyzstan is coming from Central Asia. It's not a seat of Kyrgyzstan, it's Central Asia. We think that Central Asia is also underrepresented region only once it was presented. But other countries, they didn't have chance to be in the Security Council. We think that the small states can play very important, crucial role in the Security Council. We don't say that we will have all answers in a very complicated time here in geopolitics and at un, but we have our regional experience and our knowledge. For example, it's Afghanistan, it's countering terrorism, the women, peace and security, climate and security. And I also mentioned about the development sector because development and security is also related to each other. So Kyrgyzstan wants to be a bridge builder and we want to work as a transparent member of E10 and be very constructive and peace building is very important for us and not being in blocks. It is also related to the question from the colleague from the Poland because for a small state as Kyrgyzstan, international law and charter, it's not just words or we are not repeating as a words. It's existential for small states because we are relying on laws, we are relying on rules. We have only UN here, multilateral system where we can rely and we can work for small states, it's existential and for Kyrgyzstan is not politicized voice or Kyrgyzstan will not be in the Security Council in one block or something. It's very constructive, very constructive and finding bridges and solutions which will work in the reality. Because often we see that the Security Council can have resolutions, a lot of resolutions, but how that resolutions can impact the reality and knowing these vulnerabilities, it's I think it's very important. And we also rely to the fairness. Fairness. We asked fairness from the General assembly that every country, every country it shouldn't be the closed club. Security Council is not a closed club. Or voices of just few countries and repetitive voices. Every country, every country can come to the Security Council and bring their fresh voice. You can call it fresh blood, fresh voice. It's our perspective from Central Asia.

Thank you. And now I give the floor to the Ambassador of Zimbabwe.

Thank you, Chair. And we also want to thank for organizing this presentation briefing and for this opportunity to engage the candidates from Asia and Pacific Group. Given that a significant portion of the Security Council's work concerns peace and security in Africa, it is important that the Council's work be inclusive, preventive development oriented and anchored in African ownership and leadership, including through stronger cooperation with regional organizations. Against this background, what would be your broader approach to advancing sustainable peace and security in Africa? I thank you, Chair.

Ambassador Kasimalieva, we'll start with you.

Dear Ambassador Tawonga, dear friend, I also wish you all the best in the Security Council. I hope that we will work in the security council together. A A3 plus and African issues. Africa is very important for us. We yes, we recently opened our embassies in Africa and then. But before that we also we have this understanding about the. When we discussed the IGN Security Council reform and CEDE for Africa. And Africa must remain a central priority for the Security Council. It's many of the councils, it's 70%, maybe 80% agenda items are in Africa. And these situations involve very complex, very complex and complicated links between conflict, terrorism, governance, climate development and humanitarian needs. And I'm very grateful for this campaign. I think the Kyrgyzstan through this campaign we engaged with every country including Africa and the climate vulnerability, the development issues, the security peace is so is so close to Kyrgyzstan. And we are ready to work to have very good solutions. We would not claim to know Africa better than African countries. Of course our approach would be based on partnership. Listen to African countries, support African led solutions, strengthen UNAU cooperation, protect civilians and support responsible peacekeeping and invest more in prevention and peace building. It's our position.

Thank you. Ambassador Manalo, you have the floor.

Thank you very much. And I thank the permanent representative of Zimbabwe for his question. I think on that question, let me first start from the premise that it's our belief that in the Security Council especially the region of Africa has been historically underrepresented and it's important that the voice of the countries from Africa be heard more and that their presence be more visible in Security Council. Which is one of the reasons why we have supported the Ezzawini Declaration aimed at increasing representation of African states in the Security Council. Now we also recognize that it is essential that we hear directly from, from the affected states, from the region in Africa, whether from the affected states or the regional organizations. And we would intend to work closely with the A3 and even A3 plus members whose perspectives will be of course essential in addressing many of the issues or issues which may come to the attention of the Council from the African region. And we certainly would support much closer cooperation between the United nations and the regional organizations, especially the African Union, and even the possibility of the Security Council holding discussions with even sub regional groups from Africa, depending on the nature or the type of the situation, where we might even get a better perspective of the situation, because we feel that regional perspectives and local ownership are essential to developing sustainable and durable solutions to any conflict or issue which is being addressed by the Council. And so as an elected member, non permanent member, member of the E10, it's essential that we promote dialogue and inclusivity, especially with the members of the African region. And I think at the same time, if I could just add, it's also important that we maintain and sustain sustained support for African peace and security efforts. And that's why I have in mind also Resolution 2719 and Peacekeeping Finance, which really still remain a priority in the Security Council in terms of enhancing the ability to implement that 2719. Because again, the only way really in the final analysis to address conflicts is, Is for those concerned to address them and to take into account local realities. And this would take the form of either peace building, institution building, development, cooperation. And these all must go alongside any effort made. And you can only achieve this with the support of the countries concerned. And I suppose it goes without saying that we will always be committed to for stronger consultation with African states, whether they be individually as a group, or as I mentioned, even the possibility of having subgroups or definitely those most directly concerned with the issues that are being addressed by the Council.

We have two more Member States that pre submitted a request. We will take both questions together before asking for a response. The first is the Permanent Mission of Afghanistan. Okay. Yeah. Next we have the Permanent Mission of Fiji. No. Okay. We will then seeing that there are no more pre submitted requests for Member States, we will move on to the pre submitted questions from the the CSO representatives. Is Henry Ramirez Soler here from Proclad? No. Next we will have a question from Madame Kodungu from the Sol Solidarite Agison Peu le Development Familial. She will ask her question in French and I will translate it in English. You have the floor. You hear me?

Okay. Thank you. Merci, Paula. Parole. Bonjour, Jesus Angeliango Representant de la sole la participation Real du Farm. So that we'll do. Translator.

The question in English is as follows. Women, Peace and Security. Implementation of Resolution 1325 remains uneven in the region. What concrete steps will your delegation take to ensure that women's organizations and local peace actors are meaningfully included in political and mediation processes supported by the Security council during your 2027, 2028 term? And then we have a pre submitted question from Iveka center for International Virtual Schooling. Are you here? No. Okay, so we will respond to Madam's question. I believe we start who's the last person to answer? I believe who's. Okay, we'll start with Ambassador Mandalo. Thank you.

Thank you very much for the question on what we would do in the Council to support the issue of women peace and security. First, that the start by saying that the Philippines fully recognizes the critical role of women peace builders and that women led societies and actors. Women led society actors contribute of course, to mediation, community building. They are essential in country resilience and conflict prevention. This is an experience we, the Philippines, have directly experienced, especially in terms of our success, successful realization of the Mang Samoro Autonomous Region, where women from all walks of life played an essential role in bringing about peace. And so we have that experience in guiding us, because we feel that their presence, especially in terms of participating in all aspects of peace building, peacemaking and development, is not merely symbolic, but is essential. And we do recognize the importance of implementing security council resolution 1325, implementing the various commitments. And to this end, the Philippines hosted a Women Peace and Security Conference in Manila in 2024, which I had the honor of chairing. And the main aim was to see how, at a global level, and even at the national level and at all sectors, to see how we could all contribute to effectively implementing resolution 1325. We had this meeting at the 25th anniversary. A number of recommendations were made, and if we're on the Council, we will certainly see how we can find ways of promoting those recommendations which were arrived at in the conference in Manila. And essentially, as I said, it's important and we are committed to ensuring the meaningful participation of women in all parts of peace processes, as well as through accountability of violators and supporting, of course, peace prevention efforts. So we would certainly support the implementation at all levels, the field level, even at the national levels of the role of women. And again, I just have to assure you that wherever possible too, we would involve not only governments, but also Civil society in these efforts and if possible even in the Council through appropriate means and mechanisms. Thank you.

Thank you for that answer. And Ambassador Kasimalieva, you have the floor.

Yes. Special thanks for the delegation from Soviet civil society for this question. Women, peace and security is one of the main priorities of Kyrgyzstan. If we'll be in the Security Council and concrete implementation of the 1325 and for my country, for me it's a special topic. Kyrgyzstan has only one and last ex president, women president in our past and she was the SRSG in Afghanistan, Rosa Tumbaeva. And just about my experience, I was a vice speaker of the parliament. And the main law we implemented, it's 30% quota for local parliaments. And our president just recently we have this quota for national parliament. Why I'm saying it, it's a concrete experience because while I was a parliament member, I was visiting every village, talking to every girl. And women shouldn't be seen as a victim or very passive participant of the whole process. We should every girl, every woman, every diplomat, every woman to negotiation process in it's extremely, extremely important. It can make change. Really. I see many, many times again and again how women, how girls they can change if they will participate in these processes. Especially during the mediation, especially during peace builders. Peacekeepings and post conflict recovery is also important. Now in General assembly we adopt resolution about the peaceful settlement of border issues.

So the resolution is very short.

But behind this resolution we see the real life of people. And post conflict recovery is also very important. And giving mediation to young people, young girls, women is so important. And implementation is very, very, I mean implementation is very weak part of this resolution 1325. And we should bring implementation, real implementation to the world. And I by myself, my mission and my Kyrgyzstan, my country. I'm very proud that in our mission, 80% women, my team sitting behind me and you know them. I'm not saying that only women should sit on the table. I'm saying that we should invite women and especially in mediation and negotiations and very, very difficult topic women in diplomacy. It's very crucial, it's important and it can change the situation. Because we all think about the children, we all mothers and we don't want. We know how to have solutions during very difficult conflicts. And women peace and security is very important for Central Asia, for us, for my mission, for me personally.

Thank you very much. We also have a request from the Universal Institute of Professional Management. Is there somebody here from that ngo? See not. We will now, if you allow, open it up the floor for questions yes. Okay. So it seems we have time for a few rounds of questions from both member states and NGOs. You see my colleagues standing over here, raise your hand if you would like to ask a question, please raise your hand and they will bring it to me and we'll give you the floor. Any member states or any NGO CSO representatives, this is your opportunity. It. Okay. Again, the Solidarity Agison pour la Development Familial. I give you the floor.

Wait.

Wait for the microphone to be turned on. You have to make sure the red light is on. No, not yet. You have to press the button. Wait for it to turn red. There you go. Go ahead.

It's okay.

Yes.

Yeah.

Thank you.

And that question in English is civil society participation? The Security Council often relies on late information once a crisis has escalated. If elected, how will your country ensure structured and regular access for local and regional civil society organizations to inform Council briefings and decisions, particularly before adopting country specific resolutions on the Asia Pacific region? And we will begin with Ambassador Kasimalieva.

Again, thank you very much for this very important question. More transparent council is a more trusted council. And now we think a lot about how what we will bring to the Security Council. It's one of the pillars of our work because prevention is important, is a key prevention when the situation didn't escalate. And the role of human rights organization civil societies so important. And you are right, it's answer in your question that we should early prevention, early warning and participation. Inviting civil society to decision making and having transparent processes are very important. And we are thinking about how to implement in Security Council how we we will organize these discussions. And transparency is a key. And at the same time we understand that some negotiations require confidentiality. And the challenge is to balance effective diplomacy with transparency and trust. Kyrgyzstan would support practical improvements, not politicized debates. And Kyrgyzstan would support more open debates where appropriate. Meaningful briefings by affected countries, stronger engagement with regional organizations and appropriate participations of civil society women, peace builders and youth representatives will participate.

Thank you.

Ambassador Manalo, you have the floor.

Thank you very much. And thank you very much for your question. First, let me state that the Philippines has always believed that civil society actors have a major role to play, especially in terms of peace building and providing early warning information, reconciliation and even reinforcing community led efforts. And we are fully committed to see how we can ensure, or at least help ensure that the Council takes on board the valuable contributions which civil society could provide. Because these insights, as I said, are probably essential in all aspects of peacemaking whether it be through prevention or actual peace building, or even post conflict peace building. So that's why it's very essential. And now the real issue is how can we bring in these views into the work of the Council? There, of course, are many ways. Of course, one way is through the open consultations. We would be very happy to support that, but that would of course require the agreement of all the other Council members. But we would also work to that and see if that's possible, especially in getting the views of civil society on certain issues. But there are other ways which we're thinking that they could be included. We could have some types of consultations where appropriate, for example, the ARIA formula or other means where we could get the views of the relevant members of civil society on the particular issue or conflict under consideration. And we are also committed to exploring those approaches on a regular basis, because this really lies within our overall hope to make the Council's work more inclusive and to increase more of the societies and other actors in the participation, whether it be indirect, of course, in the decision making processes of the Security Council. Because we have to ensure that the views of civic actors are important because ultimately they will be the ones playing the role in any solution to any conflict. So we are committed to exploring those ways if elected to the Council. And certainly you can be assured that we'll always be open to hearing suggestions on how we can improve the visibility or at least how we can hear the voices of the relevant civil society actors for particular issues that the Council is considering.

Thank you very much. We have a request from Indonesia to ask a question. Indonesia.

Thank you. Thank you for giving me the floor.

And thank you, Excellencies, for sharing your insights. We have one question. How are the permanent missions here in New York are preparing for the potential workload and responsibilities associated with serving as non permanent member of the Security Council.

I thank you.

Ambassador Manalo, Was there a question that you were asking? Wait, wait, sorry.

How are the permanent missions in New

York Are preparing for a potential workload

and responsibilities associated with serving as non permanent members of the Security Council. Thank you.

Okay. Ambassador Manalo.

Well, we're certainly working hard. Of course we have to get elected first, but naturally we're quite aware of the increasing workload of the Security Council. And I think that naturally we'll be seeking to get appropriate support from capital and of course getting the right number of persons, personnel and diplomatic officers who deal with all the myriad of issues being considered by the Council. But at the same time, we're also preparing, if we're on the council to see how we can work in a collegial way and in a more cooperative and more coordinated way with for example, the E10. We have to work together. Regardless of the size of our delegations to the Council. We'll have to work together. We hope we can work together in many issues and ultimately also to work together with the P5 because it is in effect really a collegial forum. So we need to get work in that respect. But yes, we're working hard. I'm thinking day and night how we can get the appropriate resources, but because we do realize that it's just not getting enough resources, but also seeing how the Philippines can effectively contribute to the work of the Security Council. So we have all those factors in mind. And if you have any suggestions after this meeting, please also let me know.

Thank you. Ambassador of the floor.

Thank you for the question. The same with Ambassador Manalo. Let's we are waiting the June 3, but at the same time in the usual. I mean usually we have six, seven diplomats in our mission. It's not very small, but not very big. And then we were covering committees. You know very well the work of UN but since we start our campaign now we have in our staff it's more than 15 and many people our experts and very seasoned ambassadors came joined us also very, very. It was very helpful to get experts and ambassadors from our African embassies because the agenda items of Security Council it's mostly about Africa and the case the Colombia, Haiti is very important and we have our experts. But during my work I also observed that for example Security Council can brief or can work can have a resolution about Afghanistan. And I realized that they are sometimes inaccuracy and not knowing the information from the field. I think it's a crucial knowing knowing the fields, knowing the nuances. And we are thinking about it not only not diplomacy, not only about the numbers, technical numbers, but we are thinking how we can bring the best our diplomats to the Security Council, how we can shape it.

And also we are thinking about.

Subsidiary bodies and how we can we know about the chairmanship of the subsidiary bodies and how we will work with women, peace of security, climate and security and in all Security Council works. And we are aware about the reports of the Security Council. So I hope that I already mentioned

that we are ready to work and I hope that Kyrgyzstan will serve with dignity, with professionalism.

Thank you very much. This now brings us to the end of our Q and A segment and we will begin the closing remarks in the Reverse order in which the opening remarks were given. And so we will begin with Ambassador Manalo from the Philippines. We had more time.

Well, thank you. Thank you again, Mr. YouTube. And I wish to thank everybody here today, Excellencies, colleagues, partners in civil society, and of course, my colleague, Ambassador Ida, for being here with us this afternoon and being able to present to you the priorities and the plans of the Philippines elected as a non permanent member to the State Security Council at the elections in about in two weeks. So I think today's discussion reflected both from your questions, also the expectations that are being placed on prospective members of the Security Council. And of course, we also recognize from your questions the many challenges that we will have to address as members. But again, we also tried to impress in our presentation that it's important that we have the ability to deliver results that are both practical, credible, and of course, grounded in reality and pragmatism without sacrificing our hopes to see how we can achieve even more than that. So we, as I said in the beginning, we approach our membership in the Council with responsibility. And we believe we have the experience, experience, the proven track record and a clear focus on how to strengthen cooperation and advance practical outcomes based not only as a developing country, but also our extensive cooperative engagements with all other members of the international community. We will certainly take into account those perspectives when we address particular issues in the Council. Again, let me quote President Marcos Jr. In his speech referring to before the General assembly last March that quote, in the midst of the mounting challenges and uncertainties, our United nations needs steady, committed and experienced hands, and we humbly offer ours to serve in the UN Security Council for 2027-2028. And in order to do so, we seek your full support in the elections on June 3, 2026. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Ambassador. And now I give the floor to Ambassador Kasima Lieva to conclude this briefing.

Thank you, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, dear experts, my colleague, Ambassador Enrique.

As we conclude today's discussion, allow me to say one simple message.

The UN Security Council carries the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. That responsibility belongs to the United nations as a whole. And the opportunity to contribute to that responsibility should not be limited to a few familiar voices. The Security Council must never be seen as a closed club. It must be a council where all member states, large and small, developed and developing, coastal and landlocked, so small island states, those that have served before and those that have never had the opportunity, can contribute to peace, security and dialogue. Kyrgyzstan has been a committed member of the United nations since 1992. Since our independency, we have never served on the Security Council, but we have always believed in the Charter. We have always believed in peaceful settlement of disputes and we have always believed that dialogue is stronger than division. Our candidature is not about prestige. It's about service. It's about bringing a fresh voice from Central Asia. It's about showing that small states can make a meaningful contribution to international peace and security. It's about strengthening trust at a time when the world needs its most. If elected for 2728, Kyrgyzstan will serve with humility, responsibility and determination. We will listen carefully, we will work constructively, we will defend the principles of the UN Charter and we will seek common ground wherever peace is at stake. Because peace is not the responsibility of a few. Peace is a responsibility of all of us and Kyrgyzstan is ready to carry that responsibility. I thank you all and thank you again for your engagement questions.

Thank you for those closing remarks and we sincerely thank all of you for participating in this UNSC election briefing. I would like to extend a special thanks to both ambassadors and their team for their time and commitment to this initiative. We also wish to thank the delegations that participated in the audience and those who have joined us online, as well as the civil society organizations and representatives. Thank you all. Please join us for future iterations of our dialogue and briefings. I wish you a great rest of your day and week. Thank you very much for being here.