Full Breakdown
UN General Assembly to Elect New Non-Permanent Security Council Members on June 3, 2026
6/3/2026, 5:30:30 AM
Election Overview
On 3 June 2026 the United Nations General Assembly will hold a secret ballot to elect five non-permanent members of the Security Council for the 2027-2028 term. Seats are allocated by regional groups: one for the African Group, one for the Asia-Pacific Group, one for the Latin American and Caribbean Group, and two for the Western European and Others Group (WEOG). Candidates are Zimbabwe (Africa), Kyrgyzstan and the Philippines (Asia-Pacific), Trinidad and Tobago (Latin America and Caribbean), and Austria, Germany and Portugal (WEOG). A two-thirds majority of members present and voting is required; with all 193 states present this equals at least 129 affirmative votes.
Germany’s Bid: Priorities and Positioning
Germany’s campaign stresses its long-term financial support to the UN and its six previous non-permanent terms, most recently 2019-2020. The foreign ministry describes Germany as the “second-largest contributor to the UN system” and highlights experience in “conflict prevention, crisis resolution, climate and security.” Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul argues that diplomacy must remain central to prevent “the law of the jungle” from prevailing and calls for reform of the Council’s veto structure, echoing Secretary-General António Guterres. Germany competes with Austria and Portugal for the two WEOG seats, and its candidacy was submitted later than those of its rivals.
Philippines’ Bid: Priorities and Positioning
The Philippines’ campaign is led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who travelled to New York to stress the country’s record as an “independent, trusted partner, an innovative pathfinder, and committed peacemaker.” The bid emphasizes maritime security, peaceful dispute resolution, adherence to the UN Charter and international law, and the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas. Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro adds that the Philippines’ diplomatic culture and long-standing relationships enable it to “build coalitions, bridge divides, and inject procedural creativity” into a stalled Council. The Philippines contests the single Asia-Pacific seat against Kyrgyzstan, a first-time candidate.
Regional Competition and Vote Requirements
In the WEOG race, Austria, Germany and Portugal vie for two seats, each presenting distinct themes: Austria stresses “partnership, dialogue and trust,” Germany focuses on “respect, justice and peace,” and Portugal highlights “prevention, cooperation and protection.” In the Asia-Pacific contest, the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan each seek the sole seat, with the former emphasizing Southeast Asian concerns and the latter advocating representation for small, landlocked states. Uncontested candidates—Zimbabwe and Trinidad and Tobago—must still secure the two-thirds majority.
Official Statements & Responses
- Germany’s foreign ministry asserts that the country has been a “reliable partner to the UN for more than 50 years.”
- Wadephul states that the UN must become “the linchpin of current crisis diplomacy.”
- President Marcos Jr declares the Philippines “regularly proven… an innovative pathfinder.”
- Lazaro stresses that the Philippines “has the track record, the relationships, and the diplomatic culture to play that role effectively.”
- Guterres, cited by Wadephul, continues to push for Security Council reform.
Criticism & Opposition
International-relations professor Johannes Varwick warns that Germany’s strong stance with Israel on the Gaza issue appears inconsistent with its advocacy of international law in Ukraine, suggesting a “double standard.” A SIPRI report describes the UN as “near-total marginalization” of its institutions, while Timor-Leste President José Manuel Ramos-Horta calls the Council “moribund, sclerotic, irrelevant.” Observers note that secret-ballot voting makes pledged support difficult to verify, especially in the Asia-Pacific contest.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the numeric threshold: some describe the requirement as a two-thirds majority, while another calculates a minimum of 129 votes if all 193 members are present. No source provides a definitive list of states that have publicly pledged support to any candidate, leaving the likely outcome uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I would say the chances are good, but it's a competition, and it's democracy,” — Johann Wadephul, German Foreign Minister
- “The Philippines has regularly proven itself to be an independent, trusted partner, an innovative pathfinder, and committed peacemaker,” — Ferdinand Marcos Jr, President of the Philippines
- “At a time when the rules-based international order is under unprecedented stress, the composition of the Council matters more than ever,” — Maria Theresa Lazaro, Philippine Foreign Secretary
- “moribund, sclerotic, irrelevant.” — José Manuel Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste
What’s Next
The General Assembly will vote at 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on 3 June; results are expected by the following day. The elected members will assume their seats on 1 January 2027, joining ongoing debates about Security Council reform and the Council’s capacity to address crises in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Sudan and other hotspots.
