Marcos Flies to New York — Will Push for Mideast Peace, UN Security Council Seat in 4-Day US Visit
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is heading to the United States this weekend for a packed working visit from March 8 to 11, where he'll take the stage at the UN General Assembly to call for peace in the Middle East and push the Philippines' bid for a seat on the UN Security Council. This trip comes at a critical time, with the Middle East crisis escalating and its ripple effects being felt all the way to Manila.
"This trip is very important amid what is currently happening in the Middle East," said DFA spokesman Angelica Escalona during a pre-departure briefing at Malacañang. "The President will offer a voice from our region, from developing countries, and call for restraint, respect for international law, including the UN Charter and humanitarian law, and for all concerned to return to the negotiating table for peace."
Beyond the UNGA special session, Marcos will also address the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines. The Philippines' campaign for UN Security Council membership will be a key talking point — a major diplomatic push that could elevate the country's role on the global stage.
Marcos will be accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and Senator Erwin Tulfo, among other officials. This marks the President's sixth trip to the US — making it the country he's visited the most during his administration. His last visit was in July 2025, when he met with President Donald Trump.
However, the DFA clarified that Marcos will not be meeting with Trump or any other heads of state during this particular trip. The focus this time is squarely on multilateral diplomacy — making the Philippines' voice heard at the UN while thousands of OFWs remain affected by the ongoing Middle East conflict back home.
Source: The Manila Times
