India, South Africa, Germany, Portugal and Colombia on Tuesday won seats on the UN Security Council in a move that could increase pressure for change on the main global peace and security body.
Many of them renewed calls for change as they celebrated winning a two-year stay on the Council from Jan. 1.
India, South Africa and Colombia secured two-year terms in uncontested votes.
PHOTO: EPA
Germany was part of a three country battle with Portugal and Canada for two seats from a West European dominated regional group. It secured 128 votes in the first round, one more than the two-thirds majority required. Canada withdrew after an inconclusive second round, leaving victory to Portugal.
Five of the 15 Security Council nations are elected to two-year terms each year. Britain, China, France, Russia and the US are permanent members of the council who can veto any resolution.
The new countries will take the places of Japan, Austria, Turkey, Mexico and Uganda and give the Security Council a completely new political profile.
Germany, India and South Africa have all been pressing for a permanent role in a reformed Security Council. Brazil is also part of the campaign for change and it will go into a second year on the council as a non-permanent member.
“We will discuss a reform of the UN, but not now, not today. It’s necessary to change the structures to make the UN more effective,” German Minister of Foreign Affairs Guido Westerwelle said.
“The vote is a success for Germany. It shows that the world has trust in us. We will do everything to justify that trust,” he added, setting out Germany’s priorities as peace, security, climate protection, development, disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.
“Germany is reliable — not only when it comes to its products but also when it comes to its foreign policy. The world knows it can rely on Germany,” he told reporters.
India secured 187 votes, the highest number of any country.
Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna said his country would be a voice of “moderation and constructive engagement” while reaffirming “the need for a permanent presence for India” on the Security Council.
“We live in a troubled neighborhood,” Krishna told reporters in New Delhi in a reference to India’s fraught ties with rival Pakistan and concerns over Afghanistan.
Indian UN Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri acknowledged that many of the new council faces wanted “permanent membership.”
“Naturally all of us will try to use the time that we have during this two-year tenure to also give our partners a sense of confidence, build trust, so that they are comfortable with our membership of the Security Council on an extended basis,” the envoy told reporters.
South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane highlighted that “the majority of issues that go to the agenda before the Security Council are about the challenges of peace and security in Africa.”
She said South Africa would “synchronize” its agenda with the African Union and the Security Council.
British UN Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said next year’s council could be a taste of world politics to come.
“All of them will bring their own unique advantages and make this a very strong Security Council,” he said after the vote.
Lyall Grant said that Britain supported India, Japan, Germany and Brazil becoming permanent members of a changed council and increased African representation.
Canada, meanwhile, was left to rue its first failure in an attempt to get a Security Council seat.
Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon said some votes may have gone against Canada because of its defense of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
He added though that “Canada was not united in its bid,” in a reference to criticism from the main opposition party.
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