Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia have been elected as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council following a single round of balloting by 188 UN Member States on Tuesday.

The newly elected countries will begin their two-year terms in January 2026, tasked with helping maintain global peace and security.

Bahrain received 186 votes, the DRC 183, Liberia 181, Colombia 180, and Latvia 178, with varying abstentions across regional groups.

While Colombia, the DRC, Bahrain, and Liberia have all previously served on the Council, Latvia will be taking a seat for the first time.

Following the vote, the DRC’s Foreign Minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, said her country brings the lived experience of prolonged conflict and insights into peacekeeping, resource-driven tensions, and environmental impacts.

Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, expressed hope for unity and justice, saying the newly elected members are united by a common goal to build a fairer world despite diverse backgrounds.