Trinidad and Tobago was among five countries elected as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term, beginning on January 1, 2027.
The lone representative from the Caribbean and Latin America secured 181 out of 190 votes to join Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal and Zimbabwe.
All, except Kyrgyzstan, obtained the required two-thirds majority in the first round of secret ballots. The voting then shifted to a contest between Kyrgyzstan and the Philippines. After three additional rounds of balloting, Kyrgyzstan emerged as the winner.
They will replace Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia, whose terms will expire on December 31, 2026.
Trinidad and Tobago previously served on the Security Council.
The Greater Arima Chamber of Commerce (GACC) praised Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for the appointment.
“This achievement is a testament to the vision and steadfast leadership of Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, whose campaign – launched at the UNGA in September 2025 and anchored by the theme “Building Consensus for the Realisation of Sustainable Peace and Security” – earned the support of the vast majority of the international community,” GACC said in a statement.
The newly elected members will join the Council alongside the five permanent members – China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States – as well as the other five non-permanent members whose terms run through the end of 2027. These are Bahrain, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia and Liberia. (PR/SAT)
