5 January 2004 – With the assumption of the Philippines to a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council on 1 January 2004, Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert said that the Philippines is looking forward to working with the other members of the United Nations Security Council as well as the general membership of the United Nations in preserving the peace and security of mankind.

"The Philippines is honored and is keenly aware of the mandate given to it by the United Nations and has been carefully studying the current and potential issues before the Security Council," the Secretary said.

"We are prepared to carry out our duty as a member of the Security Council. We are looking forward to working with the other members of the United Nations Security Council as well as the general membership of the United Nations in preserving the peace and security of mankind. Our term will be marked by our determination and openness to the views of others. Consultation will characterize our term," the Secretary added.

The Secretary said that all policies relating to the Security Council will be formulated and approved in Manila, in consultation with Philippine foreign service posts, particularly the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United
Nations in New York. "We have established a task force in the Department to oversee our policies in the Security Council. I shall be personally and directly involved in all our work relating to the Security Council," Secretary Albert said.

"I will be open to consultation and dialogue with my counterparts and their ambassadors on issues that might affect them, and my decisions will always be guided by our international commitments and our national interests," the Secretary said.

The Secretary said that aside from creating a task force on Security Council issues in the Department, the Department would also make sure that the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York will be properly staffed. "Although we have finite material and human resources, we will make sure that our Mission in New York is properly staffed. END.