Overview
- The UN General Assembly’s uncontested secret-ballot awarded Bahrain 186 votes, Congo 183, Liberia 181, Colombia 180 and Latvia 178 seats on the 15-member council.
- Beginning January 2026, the five will replace Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia in the Security Council dominated by five permanent veto holders.
- Latvia will serve on the council for the first time since regaining independence in 1991, underscoring its commitment to multilateral conflict resolution.
- Bahrain, as the Arab representative, pledges to advance ceasefires and humanitarian access in Gaza and advocate a two-state solution, while Congo, Liberia and Colombia emphasize African unity, sustainable peace and human rights.
- The incoming members support initiatives to limit veto power and modernize council operations to better address conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and beyond.