The UN Security Council reconvenes

The newly elected five non-permanent members of the Security Council had their flags hoisted in a ceremony at UN Headquarters. Ecuador, Japan, Mozambique, Switzerland and Malta have held non-permanent seats on the Security Council since 1 January. Their term of office is two years.

Japan immediately assumed the presidency of the Security Council in January.

Recall that the Security Council consists of 15 states, five of which are permanent members of the Council and have veto power - Russia, China, USA, UK and France. The 10 non-permanent members of the Council are elected for two-year terms. Five of them are replaced each year.

Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland join the non-permanent members elected in 2021 - Albania, Gabon, Ghana, Brazil and the UAE. The newly elected non-permanent members replaced India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway.

According to the UN Charter, the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is the only UN organ whose decisions are binding on all its members.

P.S. The official flag-raising ceremony was held at the UN for the first time in 2018 at the initiative of Kazakhstan.