UN elects five new non-permanent Security Council members

Austria, Portugal, Kyrgyzstan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe were elected non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, following voting at the UN General Assembly.

Kyrgyzstan secured its seat after four rounds of voting, defeating the Philippines in the Asia-Pacific Group. It will replace Pakistan in the Council, marking the first time the country will serve as a member.

Austria and Portugal won seats in the Western European and Others Group, replacing Greece and Denmark. Germany also ran for a seat but was not elected.

Zimbabwe will take up the African Group seat currently held by Somalia, while Trinidad and Tobago will represent the Latin American and Caribbean Group, replacing Panama.

The newly elected members will begin their terms on Jan 1, 2027, serving until Dec 31, 2028.

The Security Council comprises 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — and 10 non-permanent members elected on a regional basis for two-year terms.

The 15-member Security Council is the United Nations' most powerful organ and the only body authorized to adopt legally binding resolutions, impose international sanctions and approve the use of military force.

Current non-permanent members Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia and Liberia will continue to serve on the Council until the end of 2027.