The countries in the Asia-Pacific Group at the United Nations have collectively backed India’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the term 2021-22. This group, which includes both Pakistan and China, is composed of 55 member states. It nominates one of its members for the non-permanent seat on the UNSC for the June 2020 elections. India has previously held this position seven times, with the most recent term ending in 2012.
India’s Pursuit of Permanent Membership
Vying for a permanent seat at the UNSC, India has been part of the G-4 grouping that regularly advocates for UNSC reforms. The other nations elected in June 2020 include Estonia, Niger, Tunisia, Vietnam, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Understanding the United Nations Security Council
As part of the six main organs of the United Nations established by the United Nations Charter, the Security Council shoulders the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. All members of the United Nations agree to accept and execute the decisions of the Security Council. While the other organs can make recommendations, only the Security Council has the ability to make binding decisions under the Charter.
The Composition of the Security Council
The Council is made up of 15 members: five permanent members (China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States), and ten non-permanent members elected for a two-year term by the General Assembly. The current non-permanent members include Belgium, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Indonesia, Kuwait, Peru, Poland, and South Africa.
Selection Process
Each year, the General Assembly chooses five out of ten non-permanent members for a two-year term. The ten non-permanent seats are divided based on regions: five for African and Asian countries, one for Eastern European countries, two for Latin American and Caribbean countries, and two for Western European and other countries.
To secure a non-permanent seat, a country must secure the vote of two-thirds of the 193 UN General Assembly members. This is in accordance with Article 23 of the UN Charter, which pertains to the composition of the Security Council.
United Nations Regional Groups
| Name of Region | Number of Members |
|---|---|
| Africa | 54 |
| Asia-Pacific | 55 |
| Eastern Europe | 23 |
| Latin America and Caribbean | 33 |
| Western Europe and Others | 28 |
Role and Importance of United Nations Regional Groups
The Regional Groups are unofficial geopolitical sectors consisting of member states of the United Nations. They play a significant role in the allocation of many UN bodies based on geographic representation. Key leadership positions, including the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly, are rotated among these groups. These groups also facilitate policy coordination and form common fronts for negotiations and bloc voting.
