The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday elected five countries to serve as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2027. The newly elected members include Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe. The vote took place at UN headquarters, where member states cast ballots by regional groups, as required under UN rules.
Western Europe and Others Group voting outcome
In the Western European and Others Group, Austria and Portugal secured the two available seats after a competitive vote. Both countries crossed the required majority, leaving Germany in third place despite an active campaign. Germany received 104 votes, while Portugal gained 134 and Austria followed closely with 131. As a result, Austria and Portugal will represent the group on the Council during the 2027–28 term. Meanwhile, diplomats described the race as closely watched due to Europe’s growing focus on global security challenges.
Asia-Pacific contest and Council role
The Asia-Pacific Group contest between the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan extended to four voting rounds. Eventually, Kyrgyzstan achieved the needed two-thirds majority, winning by 142 votes to 49. This victory marks Kyrgyzstan’s first-ever seat on the Security Council, a milestone for the Central Asian nation. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe filled the remaining seats from their respective regional groups without major opposition.
The Security Council remains the only UN body with the power to make legally binding decisions. It can impose sanctions, authorize peacekeeping missions, and approve the use of force. Alongside elected members, the Council includes five permanent members with veto power: Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States.
