Austria to advocate for multilateralism as UNSC member: President
Vienna, June 4
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has said that the country will uphold multilateralism as a member of the United Nations Security Council.
Austria was elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council on Wednesday for a two-year term and will assume its seat on January 1, 2027 and serve until December 31, 2028.
"Austria will steadfastly advocate in the UN Security Council for multilateralism based on international law and human rights," Van der Bellen said on social platform X.
Calling for efforts to strengthen the UN, he warned that peaceful cooperation between countries is being threatened by "arbitrary exercise of power by the 'stronger' parties and ruthless, shortsighted interest politics."
In addition to Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe were also elected non-permanent members on the same day.
The newly elected members will replace the outgoing non-permanent members -- Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia -- and assume their seats on January 1, 2027, and serve until December 31, 2028.
A candidate must obtain the support of two-thirds of the UN member states present and voting at the General Assembly session in order to secure a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, regardless of whether the candidacy is contested or not. A minimum of 129 positive votes is required to win a seat if all 193 member states are present and voting. Member states that abstain are considered not voting.
There were seven candidates for the five seats available this year. Austria, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe were elected in the first round of voting, reports Xinhua news agency.
Three more rounds of voting were held before Kyrgyzstan defeated the Philippines in a contested race.
The Security Council has 15 members, five of which are permanent: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The 10 non-permanent seats of the council are allocated by geographic region, with five replaced each year.
The five newly elected countries represent the African, Asia-Pacific, Latin American and Caribbean, and Western European and Other groups. The Eastern European group is not contesting this year, as its seat, currently held by Latvia through 2027, comes up for election every other year.
The Security Council is considered the most powerful body of the United Nations. The council, tasked with maintaining international peace and security, can make legally binding decisions and has the power to impose sanctions and authorise the use of force.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Interesting that Austria is talking about 'human rights' while they were part of the colonial empires that exploited so many countries. Anyway, Asia-Pacific seat went to Kyrgyzstan, not India. Not surprised, but we need to keep pushing for our rightful place. 😊
Van der Bellen speaking truth about 'arbitrary exercise of power by the stronger parties'. Look at what's happening in Ukraine, Gaza, and even our neighbourhood. The UNSC is becoming a joke when veto-wielding members can block any action against themselves or their allies. Austria's term will be symbolic at best.
Finally some good news. Austria is a neutral country with a strong diplomatic tradition. They could actually mediate between different blocs. India has good relations with them too. Hope they push for more transparency in UNSC decision-making. Ab samay aa gaya hai badlav ka! 🕊️
Every country talks about multilateralism until their own interests are at stake. Austria included. But credit where it's due - at least they're not a permanent member blocking reforms like some others. Let's see if they walk the talk on human rights and international law. Actions speak louder than X posts.
Pakistan is being replaced! That's the real headline for us Indians 😂 But jokes aside, the UNSC needs major structural reform. It's still stuck in 1945. Austria seems like a sensible country - hope they use their term to call for expansion of both permanent and non-permanent seats. Delhi should engage closely with Vienna on this.