Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland join the UN Security Council – JURIST
The UN Security Council Tuesday welcomed new members Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland. This is the first time that Mozambique and Switzerland have had seats in the security council.
The council consists of 15 countries. Five of them—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States—are permanent members with veto powers. The other ten members are elected by the General Assembly of 193 nations for two-year terms, allocated from any global region in which the countries are located.
Japan’s UN Ambassador Kimihiro Ishikane, President of the Security Council for January, commented during the flag ceremony on the need to “maintain the rule of law and consider what we can do for -many people whose safety and livelihood are threatened today.” Ishikane said there were three key elements to success in the role:
Firstly, an active contribution to global peace and security. Secondly, the common challenges of the international community are addressed based on the idea of human security. Third, strengthening the rule of law.
The council, which takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to peace or an act of aggression, is the only UN body authorized to use force to maintain or restore peace and s -international security. The council can also authorize sanctions, but according to the UN websitethe council “calls on the parties in dispute to resolve it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement.”
UN news reported that 192 UN Member States participated in the election. The five newly elected countries are replacing India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway. Their terms ended on 31 December 2021. The newly elected countries will join Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates around the table. signature horse of the UN Security Council.