UN General Assembly Elects Five New Security Council Members, Germany Fails in Bid
The UN General Assembly elected Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe to the Security Council for two‑year terms beginning in January 2027.
UNITED NATIONS,POLITICS
Global N Press
8/5/20261 min read
On August 5, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly elected Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe as the newest non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, with the five nations set to serve two-year terms beginning January 1, 2027. Despite an aggressive lobbying campaign, Germany finished third in the contest for the two seats allocated to the Western European and Others Group, securing 104 votes, while Portugal with 134 votes and Austria with 131 votes ultimately claimed the seats. The Asia-Pacific Group race proved equally competitive, requiring four rounds of voting before Kyrgyzstan secured its first-ever seat on the Council, defeating the Philippines by 142 votes to 49.
The elected nations will replace outgoing members as follows: Zimbabwe replaces Somalia, Trinidad and Tobago replaces Panama, Kyrgyzstan replaces Pakistan, and Portugal and Austria replace Denmark and Greece. These nations will join the five permanent, veto-wielding members—Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States—on the 15-member body, which remains the only UN entity with the authority to issue legally binding decisions, including the imposition of sanctions and the authorization of the use of force. Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Latvia, and Liberia will continue their terms as non-permanent members through the end of 2027. The election followed the selection of Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman as president of the 193-member General Assembly for its upcoming 81st session.
