Portugal and Austria Elected to UN Security Council

Portugal and Austria were elected on 3 June 2026 as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Their two-year term will begin on 1 January 2027 and end on 31 December 2028.

United Nations Security Council

The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. It has 15 members, including 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members elected by the United Nations General Assembly.

Election Process and Regional Allocation

The election was held during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Portugal and Austria won the two seats allocated to the Western European and Other States Group, also known as WEOG. Portugal received 134 votes in the secret ballot, and Austria received 131 votes. Germany received 104 votes in the same election.

Membership Rotation and Term Structure

Non-permanent members of the Security Council serve for two years and are not eligible for immediate re-election. The 10 elected seats are distributed among regional groups under the UN membership rotation system. Portugal and Austria will each serve on the Security Council for the fourth time. Other elected members for the 2027-2028 term include Kyrgyzstan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe.

Important Facts for Exams

• The United Nations Security Council was established under the UN Charter in 1945.
• The Security Council has 15 members, of which 5 are permanent members.
• The Western European and Other States Group is one of the UN regional groupings used for elections.
• Non-permanent members of the Security Council are elected by the United Nations General Assembly.

Replacement of Outgoing Members

The newly elected members will replace Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia after their terms end on 31 December 2026. The next elected term for the five new members will start on 1 January 2027.