Filipino Tradition of Leadership
in the United Nations

United Nations, New York - Sept. 17, 2005

Philippines President Arroyo made history as the first woman head of state and first Asian head of state to preside over the UN Security Council.

She also upheld the tradition of Philippines advocacy and leadership in the UN, according to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alberto G. Romulo.

"This is an historic event for the Philippines and for the United Nations. The President's firm guidance of today's session of the Security Council reflects the tradition of advocacy and leadership for which the Philippines has been long recognized in the United Nations. Today, the President upheld that tradition for our nation and our people," Romulo said.

"This fine tradition started even before the founding of the United Nations, when the Philippines, led by General Carlos P. Romulo, actively shaped the final form of the UN Charter by ensuring, even in the face of strong opposition, that the Charter would give life to the aspirations of developing countries and soon-to-be independent nations," the DFA Secretary added.

President Arroyo chaired yesterday's Security Council Summit which had for its theme "Threats to international peace and security."

Romulo said that given the pressing challenges facing the international community, the President had decided that the time was ripe for the UN Security Council to meet with the leaders to tackle one of the primary issues for which the United Nations was created, that is, the maintenance of the peace and security of mankind.

"It was a decision that was warmly met by 13 heads of states and governments and one foreign minister who spoke today as members of the Security Council," Secretary Romulo said. The Security Council is composed of 15 members (5 permanent, 10 non- permanent).

There have been only two other Security Council Summits in the history of the United Nations.

"After the Summit, the President and her delegation received the warm congratulations of other leaders who were in the Security Council chambers to witness the Summit," according to Romulo.

"This is a proud day for our country and our people. The trust and understanding we generated today is an important contribution to world peace and the goodwill we attracted today will boost our own foreign policy interests and relations," Romulo said.

Condensed from Manila Bulletin

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