Japanese Media: The Election of Non-Permanent Security Council Members Reflects a Shift in Global Power

June 3 news from Japan's Jiji Press reported the results of the United Nations non-permanent Security Council election.

On the 3rd, the United Nations General Assembly (comprising 193 countries) held a secret ballot to re-elect five of the ten non-permanent members of the UN Security Council whose terms end this year.

Germany, which contributes heavily to UN funding, ultimately lost the election. Kyrgyzstan won its first-ever election among Asia-Pacific countries—an unusual development suggesting a shift in the balance of international power.

The elected countries are Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Zimbabwe, Trinidad and Tobago, and Portugal. These nations will begin their two-year terms in January next year.

Greece, Somalia, Denmark, Pakistan, and Panama will conclude their terms at the end of this year and vacate their non-permanent Security Council seats.

Germany ran as part of the Western Europe and Others group, contributing UN dues second only to Japan and ranking fourth overall. Germany had previously been elected to the non-permanent council six times, marking the first time since German reunification that it failed to secure a seat.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters that because Germany opposes Russia and supports Ukraine, Russia launched an "opposition campaign" against it. She further stated that Germany’s perceived "special obligations toward Israel" may have cost it votes, suggesting member states were dissatisfied with Germany’s pro-Israel stance.

The Asia-Pacific seat was contested between Kyrgyzstan and the Philippines. The Philippines has territorial disputes with China over the South China Sea, and it is believed that both China and Russia supported Kyrgyzstan.

Non-permanent members do not have veto power, but they can serve as President of the Security Council at least once during their term and enjoy some discretion over the agenda.

Philippines’ defeat could lead to an expanded influence for China within the Security Council. Some diplomatic sources from the Asia-Pacific region believe this outcome is “a bad omen for Japan.”

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1867078795120650/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.