Kyrgyzstan Elected to UN Security Council Seat After Four Rounds of Voting Against Philippines

Kyrgyzstan received 142 votes in the fourth round of secret balloting at the UN General Assembly on June 3, 2026, surpassing the 128-vote threshold needed for a two-thirds majority. The Philippines received 49 votes in the same round. Only the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan competed for the single vacant non-permanent seat allocated to the Asia-Pacific region.

Kyrgyzstan achieved the required majority after four rounds, while the Philippines did not. Kyrgyzstan will serve a two-year term beginning January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2028. This marks the first time Kyrgyzstan will hold a seat on the UN Security Council.

The Philippines last served on the council during the 2004-2005 term. This election was the first time the Philippines lost a bid for a non-permanent UN Security Council seat.

The UN Security Council consists of 15 members.

Five are permanent members with veto power. Ten are non-permanent members. The council's primary role is to maintain international peace and security. Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro stated: “We thank the international community for the support and goodwill extended to the Philippines throughout our candidacy.

Our campaign was anchored on our longstanding commitment to peace, dialogue, international law, and cooperation among nations.