14 September 2005, United Nations, New York – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo not only made history as the first woman head of state and first Asian head of state to Preside over the United Nations Security Council, but also upheld the tradition of Philippines advocacy and leadership in the United Nations, according to Foreign Affairs 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 nations and our people,” Secretary 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 United Nations 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 Secretary added. President Arroyo chaired today’s Security Council Summit which had for its theme “Threats to international peace and security.”

The Secretary 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 at the leaders level 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 the many congratulations that the President Arroyo received from the thirteen 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.

Aside from the heads of states and governments composing the members of the Council, a large number of leaders from other countries where in the Security Council chambers to show their support for the Security Council Summit and the initiative taken by the Philippines in holding the Summit.

“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 Secretary 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,” Secretary Romulo said. END.

In her statement during the Summit, the President emphasized the need to intensify international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, highlighting the success of the Philippines in counterterrorism, regional and global cooperation in fighting terrorism, peace-building and fostering greater interfaith dialogue and cooperation. END