By: ATN News
United Nations: At the United Nations General Assembly today, five countries were elected as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for the 2025-2026 term. The newly elected members, which include Pakistan, Somalia, Panama, Denmark, and Greece, will commence their two-year terms on January 1, 2025. They will replace the outgoing members Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland, whose terms will conclude on December 31, 2024.
The election process saw the candidates secure the necessary two-thirds majority vote in the 193-member General Assembly through a secret ballot. The incoming members will join the existing non-permanent members Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia, whose terms began on January 1, 2023. The five permanent members of the Security Council—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—remain unchanged and continue to hold veto power.
Uncontested Election and Regional Endorsements
This year's election was notably uncontested, with each newly elected member receiving endorsements from their respective regional groups. The election saw candidates competing for five seats across three regional groups:
- African and Asia-Pacific Group (two seats): Pakistan and Somalia
- Latin America and the Caribbean Group (one seat): Panama
- Western European and other States Group (two seats): Denmark and Greece
The vote tally, reflecting broad support for the new members, was as follows:
- Pakistan: 182 votes
- Somalia: 179 votes
- Panama: 183 votes
- Denmark: 184 votes
- Greece: 182 votes
A total of 190 Member States participated in the single-round election, highlighting the strong backing for these countries to take on the critical responsibilities associated with Security Council membership.
Commitment to Global Peace and Security
The 15-member Security Council is entrusted with the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security, as outlined in the UN Charter. All UN Member States are required to adhere to the Council's decisions, making the role of non-permanent members crucial in shaping global responses to crises and conflicts.
The newly elected members will be tasked with addressing a range of complex international issues, from geopolitical tensions and humanitarian crises to environmental challenges and global health threats. Their participation and leadership will be instrumental in navigating the international community through these pressing matters over the next two years.
The incoming members bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the Security Council:
- **Pakistan** and **Somalia** will represent the African and Asia-Pacific Group, offering insights from regions that have experienced significant security challenges and developmental strides.
- **Panama** will contribute from the Latin America and the Caribbean Group, a region marked by unique political and economic dynamics.
- **Denmark** and **Greece** will join from the Western European and other States Group, providing perspectives from stable democracies with strong commitments to international law and human rights.
As the world grapples with ongoing conflicts and emerging threats, the newly elected members of the Security Council are poised to play a pivotal role in fostering peace, security, and cooperation on the global stage.
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