Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia officially began their terms as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council this week, marking a pivotal moment in global diplomacy. Their two-year mandate commenced on January 1, with Friday, January 2, serving as the council's first working day of 2026 following the holiday break.
A flag installation ceremony at UN headquarters symbolized the start of their responsibilities. Kazakh Ambassador Kairat Umarov, co-host of the event, emphasized the dual nature of Security Council membership as both a privilege and a duty, urging the new members to uphold multilateralism and address pressing global security challenges.
Somali Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman, current Security Council president, highlighted the critical role of the incoming members: "Your voices will shape our collective efforts to maintain international peace and protect vulnerable populations worldwide." The five nations replace Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia.
The Security Council's 15-member structure includes five permanent members – Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States – alongside 10 non-permanent members elected regionally. This annual rotation ensures diverse representation in addressing conflicts, humanitarian crises, and peacekeeping operations.
