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The United Nations General Assembly has elected five countries to join the 15-member Security Council as non-permanent members.
The countries — Zimbabwe, Austria, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, and Trinidad and Tobago —were elected on Wednesday.
The countries will commence their two-year term starting January 1, 2027.
Zimbabwe was elected unopposed to the African Group and will replace Somalia.
The election marks a historic milestone for Kyrgyzstan, which will serve on the Security Council for the first time since joining the United Nations in 1992.
The Security Council is the only UN organ that can make legally binding decisions, such as imposing sanctions or authorising the use of force.
Germany came third for the two places contested by the Western European and Others Group.
Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, and Panama will also be leaving when their terms conclude at the end of 2026.
Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia will remain on the UN body until the end of 2027, providing continuity in its work.
The Security Council’s five permanent members—Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States —are the only members with the power to veto decisions.
