The Philippine government has conveyed its support to Brazil’s campaign to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
The affirmation was made during the bilateral meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and visiting Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira at the Diamond Hotel in Manila on Friday.
“Secretary Manalo and Minister Vieira expressed their support to a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including the Security Council in the shape of a package consisting of the reform of its working methods, as well as the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent members, with a view to making it more representative, legitimate and effective, and to increase the representation of developing countries,” a joint communique issued after the meeting read.
“In this context, Secretary Manalo reiterated the support of the Philippines to the aspiration of Brazil to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council,” it said.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been campaigning for Brazil and more countries from Latin America, Africa, and Asia to be permanently included in the council.
READ: PBBM lobbies for PH's UN Security Council bid
In his UN General Assembly speech in September 2023, Lula said the council has been “progressively losing its credibility” due to actions from its permanent members, “who wage unauthorized wars aimed at territorial expansion or regime change”.
“Its paralysis is the most eloquent proof of the urgent need to reform it, endowing it with greater representation and effectiveness,” he said.
During their meeting, Manalo and Vieira also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the multilateral arena and discussed calls to reform global governance institutions “to enhance transparency and representation particularly concerning the developing countries.”
“They emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation and mutual support in the multilateral arena, especially within the United Nations,” the statement read.
Within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, meanwhile, Vieira noted the potential closer collaboration with the Philippines, especially on promoting peace and stability especially amid Brazil’s recent designation as a “sectoral dialogue partner” of the bloc.
Manalo also expressed the Philippines' full support for Brazil's leadership in hosting COP30 in 2025. (PNA)
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