A Reception at the United Nations Delegates Dining Room Celebrates Incoming Security Council Members

On Monday evening, a special reception was held in the United Nations Delegates Dining Room to commemorate the election of five new non-permanent members to the UN Security Council. The newly elected nations—Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia—will serve two-year terms beginning January 1, 2026. Their election reflects the continued commitment of the international community to maintaining peace and security across the globe.

The UN Security Council is the world’s most powerful body in the realm of international diplomacy, tasked with addressing pressing issues of global security. It consists of 15 members: five permanent members with veto power (Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States), and ten non-permanent members elected for staggered two-year terms. The newly elected members will replace Algeria, Sierra Leone, South Korea, Guyana, and Slovenia, whose terms end in December 2025.

The election process for the Security Council is rigorous and requires candidates to secure more than two-thirds of the General Assembly vote. With all five countries running unopposed, they easily surpassed this threshold, showcasing their widespread diplomatic support. The regional representation of the incoming members ensures that the Security Council maintains a diverse and balanced representation of the global community.

The evening’s reception brought together diplomats, UN officials, and distinguished guests to celebrate this significant moment in international relations. Speeches delivered during the event highlighted the importance of the Security Council's work and its role in upholding the core principles of the United Nations, including the promotion of peace, security, and human rights.

With the addition of Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia, the Security Council’s composition will further reflect the diverse geopolitical landscape of the international community.

As the reception unfolded, it was clear that the weight of responsibility on the shoulders of the newly elected members would be immense. In their new roles, Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia will work alongside the permanent members of the Security Council to tackle some of the most pressing security issues of our time—from conflict resolution and peacekeeping to counterterrorism and nonproliferation.

The next two years will be a defining period for the Security Council, and all eyes will be on the new members as they help steer the body through the challenges of an increasingly complex global landscape.

As they prepare to begin their term on January 1, 2026, Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia will join the ranks of nations entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining global peace and security. Their election signals a continued commitment to multilateralism, diplomacy, and the core values that the United Nations embodies.

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