Five Nations Elected to UN Security Council Amid Regional Tensions and Nuclear Concerns

Elected non-permanent members of the Security Council beginning in January 2026

By Ahmed Fathi

UNHQ, New York: — The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday elected five new non-permanent members to the Security Council for the 2026–2027 term, in a vote closely watched amid rising geopolitical tensions. Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Latvia, and Liberia secured the necessary two-thirds majority to join the 15-member body tasked with maintaining international peace and security.

The vote, held by secret ballot, saw Bahrain receive 186 votes, the DRC 183, Liberia 181, Colombia 180, and Latvia 178 out of 193 possible. While all but Latvia have previously served on the Council, this marks Latvia’s first term in the body.

Following the vote, ministers and diplomats representing the incoming members addressed reporters outside the General Assembly Hall. In a region increasingly shaped by complex alliances and nuclear anxieties, Bahrain’s election drew particular attention.

Speaking to ATN News, Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, **Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani**, fielded questions about the latest **International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)** report, which states that Iran’s uranium enrichment levels have reached or are nearing weapons-grade thresholds.

> “How does your country feel about that?” asked ATN correspondent Ahmed Fathi. “And what are you planning to do once you become a member of the Council, especially in relation to the Non-Proliferation Committee?”

Zayani responded by reaffirming Bahrain’s commitment to regional peace and nuclear disarmament.

> “The mandate of the Security Council is to achieve peace and security,” he said. “Our vision is to have a region that is safe, secure, and free of nuclear weapons, where peoples of the region can live side by side—despite their differences in religion, sect, or ideology. We will support peaceful negotiations currently underway in the region.”

The issue of Iran’s nuclear program has long divided the Security Council, with key members such as the United States, France, and the United Kingdom raising alarms, while others, including Russia and China, call for more engagement. Bahrain’s role, as a Gulf nation with historical tensions with Iran, may become pivotal in shaping how the Council handles upcoming resolutions related to non-proliferation.

Zayani also emphasized that resolving the **Israeli-Palestinian conflict** remained central to regional peace, calling for “a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and detainees, and the immediate inflow of humanitarian aid.”

The DRC’s Foreign Minister, **Therese Kayikwamba Wagner**, said her country would bring “the experience of a nation that knows what it is like to endure decades of conflict,” including lessons on peacekeeping and managing natural resource disputes.

**Latvia’s** Foreign Minister, **Baiba Braže**, pledged to focus on 21st-century challenges such as **cybersecurity**, **AI-generated disinformation**, and **maritime security**. She also reiterated Latvia’s unwavering support for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.

**Colombia’s** Ambassador, **Leonor Zalabata**, speaking in Spanish, said her country would offer its experience in peacebuilding as a model for conflict resolution.

From **Liberia**, Foreign Minister **Sara Beysolow Nyanti** framed her country’s election as a victory for diplomacy:

> “This achievement is a testament to the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of countless individuals who yearn for a world where dialogue triumphs over discord.”

The five incoming nations will take their seats on the Council in January 2026, joining Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia—elected in 2024 and serving through 2026. They will replace Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia, whose terms expire at the end of 2025.

The **UN Security Council** comprises 15 members—five permanent (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States), and ten non-permanent members elected for staggered two-year terms. While permanent members hold veto power, the elected members play a crucial role in shaping debates, authoring resolutions, and influencing peacekeeping mandates.

As the world enters a phase marked by global instability, rising nuclear risks, and fractured multilateralism, the new Security Council members—particularly Bahrain—are stepping into roles that may shape the trajectory of regional diplomacy and international security for years to come.