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Five Nations Win UN Security Council Seats, Vow to Tackle Global Conflicts

Their January 2026 mandate arrives as diplomats call for limits on veto power to boost the council’s effectiveness.

Annalena Baerbock of Germany addresses the United Nations General Assembly after she was elected as president of the 80th session of the body, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
People attend a Security Council meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, U.S., March 18, 2025. REUTERS/Adam Gray/File Photo

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.