UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan and other contenders for a seat on the international body’s power center have up their lobbying efforts ahead of the UN General Assembly’s scheduled meeting today to elect five non-permanent members of the Security Council.
Those chosen will hold office from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026, a period of two years. They will take over for Switzerland, Malta, Mozambique, Ecuador, Japan, and Ecuador, whose contracts expire on December 31.
The upkeep of global peace and security is the Security Council’s major duty as stipulated in the UN Charter.
Pakistan, a seven-term contender who received the support of the 53-member Asian Group, is the only contender left in the race. Japan is vacating the Asian seat this year.
Pakistan served two previous terms on the Council, from 2012 to 2013.
The Security Council is made up of fifteen nations, five of which are permanent members with the power to veto any resolution or decision. These nations are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The General Assembly, which consists of the 193 UN Member States, chooses the 10 non-permanent members based on regional allocation and geographic criteria.
Candidates must acquire a two-thirds majority, or 128 votes, in order to be elected, even if they are running unopposed. Voting is done by secret ballot.
