Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia have officially commenced their roles as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC), initiating their two-year term on Monday. However, Tuesday marked their first official working day after the holiday break, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
To commemorate the beginning of their responsibilities, a flag installation ceremony was held, symbolizing their entry into their roles.
These five newly-elected members have succeeded the non-permanent members of Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates for the 2024-2025 term.
Nicolas de Riviere, the Permanent Representative of France to the UN and the current President of the UNSC for January, extended a warm welcome to the new members. He highlighted the significance of their roles, particularly during a time marked by multiple regional crises across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Africa. Riviere expressed eagerness to collaborate over the next two years to uphold the council's mandate in safeguarding international peace and security while championing multilateralism aligned with the UN Charter's values.
Guyana's Permanent Representative to the UN, Carloyn Rodrigues-Birkett, pledged the nation's commitment to becoming a prominent voice within the Council, emphasizing their dedication to preserving global peace and security.
The UNSC consists of 15 members, with five permanent members—Britain, China, France, Russia, and the US. The remaining 10 non-permanent seats are distributed by geographic region, with five rotating each year.
As the principal organ responsible for upholding international peace and security, the Security Council holds the authority to issue legally binding decisions, impose sanctions, and authorize the use of force against nations when deemed necessary.
(With Agency Inputs)
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