Historic Election Adds Five New Members to UN Security Council
Five countries have secured seats on the United Nations Security Council, reshaping the global body’s highest decision-making panel. The election, held on Monday, marked a significant shift in the council’s composition. The five incoming members will start serving two-year terms in January on the U.N.’s most powerful but deeply divided body, responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
The incoming members elected in uncontested elections will join the five non-permanent members who were elected last year – Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia. This newly-elected group will succeed Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia, whose terms are set to end in December 2025.
The five countries securing seats in the United Nations Security Council are Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia. The election process takes place annually by secret ballot, with seats allocated by regional group. Candidates must secure a two-thirds majority in the 193-member General Assembly to be elected.
India holds a notable history on the UN Security Council membership, being elected eight times as a non-permanent member. Its past tenure includes serving in 1950-1951, 1967-1968, and 1972-1973.
