UN regional groups

Civil and Polite, Nations Participate in First-Ever UN Security Council Election Hearings

May 25, 2016

Thailand said it had no enemies, while Kazakhstan pointed out it had voluntarily given up the fourth-largest nuclear arsenal in the world more than two decades ago. Sweden emphasized it was militarily nonaligned. Italy, the only Mediterranean candidate, said it could ensure geographic balance because it sits at the crossroads of the east and …

General Assembly, Security Council

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Finland and Others Compete for Coveted Security Council Seats

October 7, 2012

by Mirva Lempiainen

HELSINKI – As the United States prepares for its much-awaited presidential election on Nov. 6, another hotly contested vote is readying at the United Nations Security Council on Oct. 18. Numerous countries are vying for the five open nonpermanent seats, among them Australia, Finland and Luxembourg, who are competing for the two seats being …

Security Council

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WORLDVIEWS

The UN’s Regional Groupings Need to Reshuffle the Deck

June 20, 2012

by Ramesh Thakur

CANBERRA — Come October, Australia will be competing with Finland and Luxembourg for two of the elected two-year seats open on the United Nations Security Council, starting next year. Why against Finland and Luxembourg and not others also contesting for the five seats up for grabs? Well might you ask. Most public debate …