Sierra Leone, Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, and Slovenia have commenced their two-year roles as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council. This transition took effect after the previous members, Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates concluded their terms on December 31, 2023.
The UN Security Council comprises five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – alongside ten non-permanent members. These non-permanent members are selected by the General Assembly, intending to provide regional representation. This assembly comprises all 193 UN Member States and plays a vital role in promoting global peace and security.
In January 2024, France assumed the presidency of the Security Council, with a compelling focus on addressing the Israel-Palestine crisis and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This signifies the Council’s dedication to managing pressing international issues and conflicts with acute diplomacy.
Moreover, the Security Council plans to raise the quarterly open debate on the Middle East situation to a ministerial level. This pivotal discussion, scheduled for January 23, will be chaired by the French foreign affairs minister, signifying a significant diplomatic effort to seek potential resolutions in the volatile region.
The Security Council consists of 15 countries, wherein the five permanent members hold veto power over resolutions and decisions. The remaining 10 seats are allocated to non-permanent members, with their distribution based on geographical representation. For a country to secure a non-permanent seat, they must garner at least two-thirds of the votes in the UN General Assembly, which amounts to 129 votes from the 193-member body.
As Sierra Leone, Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, and Slovenia embark on their tenure, the international community eagerly awaits their contributions to ongoing global peace and security efforts.
