Emirates announces candidacy for U.N. Security Council seat

The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday announced its candidacy for a two-year term on the U.N. Security Council in 2022-2023.

The announcement came in a statement made by the minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, at the annual U.N. General Assembly in New York.

The Security Council is the only U.N. body that can make legally binding decisions like imposing sanctions and authorising the use of force. It has five permanent, veto-wielding members - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia - among 15 in all.

“The UAE’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council will focus on efforts to advance inclusion, spur innovation, build resilience and secure peace,” WAM agency said.

The Arab country was already present in the Council in the period 1986-1987 and has been a member state of the United Nations since the foundation of the Arab nation in 1971. Furthermore, the announcement is supported by the UAE from the League of Arab States in 2012 and from the Asia-Pacific Group in June 2020.  

The vote on the candidacy will take place in June 2021. To ensure global geographical representation, seats are allocated to regions for overlapping periods of two years. Candidates must gain the support of more than two-thirds of the UN General Assembly. In June 2021, the General Assembly will elect five Member States to serve as non-permanent members of the Security Council for the period 2022-2023. The Council has a total of ten non-permanent members who serve overlapping two-year terms. 

"My country will follow the same steps and principles upon which it was founded to maintain international peace and security in cooperation with the members of the Council," said H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. "We recognise the significant responsibility associated with membership on the Security Council and the extensive challenges the Council faces, and we affirm that the UAE will work towards solving the important issues confronting states with resolve and determination. In doing so, we will be guided by our understanding of these crises, our experiences in the Arab region, and our close relationships with other states. My country will continue its call for involving regional organisations in finding permanent solutions for crises, and we count on your support to achieve these goals," stressed the Gulf State's Foreign Minister.