Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia are new members of the Security Council

(Patria) - The UN General Assembly today elected Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia to the 15-member Security Council for a two-year term, starting January 1, 2025.

The Security Council is the only UN body that can make legally binding decisions such as imposing sanctions and authorizing the use of force, reports RSE.

It has five permanent members with veto power: Great Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States.

The remaining 10 members are elected, with five new members each year.

Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia – all elected on uncontested slates – will replace Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, and Mozambique.

To ensure geographic representation, seats are allocated to regional groups.

But even if countries in their group run unopposed, they still must win the support of more than two-thirds of the General Assembly.

Denmark received 184 votes, Greece 182, Pakistan 182, Panama 183, and Somalia 179 votes.