Guyana picks up surprise vote in UN Security Council election

Jun 06, 2026 News

…was not a candidate in the poll

(Kaieteur News) – The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday elected five countries to serve as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for the 2027-2028 term, with Guyana receiving a symbolic vote despite not being a candidate in the race.

Austria, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, Zimbabwe and Kyrgyzstan secured seats on the powerful 15-member Council following voting by the UN’s 193 member states.

For Guyanese observers, the election was particularly noteworthy as Guyana picked up one vote in the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) contest, even though the country was not seeking election. The vote comes just months after Guyana concludes its own tenure as a non-permanent member of the Security Council at the end of 2025, a period during which it played an active role in debates on global security, peacekeeping and international law.

Guyana picks up surprise vote in UN Security Council election

The delegation of Trinidad and Tobago celebrate after being elected. (Photo/Eskinder Debebe UN photo)

According to a news item by the UN Trinidad and Tobago won the Caribbean seat with an overwhelming 181 votes, underscoring strong regional support for the twin-island republic’s return to the Council. The election ensures continued Caribbean representation at the UN’s highest security body following Guyana’s recent service.

Austria and Portugal secured the two seats allocated to the Western European and Others Group, receiving 131 and 134 votes respectively. Germany, which was also contesting a seat, failed to secure the required two-thirds majority and was eliminated.

Zimbabwe, running unopposed for the African Group seat, received 182 votes.

The most closely watched contest unfolded in the Asia-Pacific Group, where Kyrgyzstan defeated the Philippines after four rounds of voting. Kyrgyzstan ultimately prevailed by 142 votes to 49, earning a historic first-ever term on the Security Council since joining the United Nations in 1992.

While Kyrgyzstan will be making its debut, the other newly elected countries are no strangers to the Council chamber. Austria and Portugal have each served three previous terms, Zimbabwe has served twice, and Trinidad and Tobago once before.

Challenges Await New Members

The incoming members will take their seats on 1^st January,2027, at a time when the Security Council remains deeply divided over some of the world’s most pressing conflicts.

Disagreements among the Council’s five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States—have repeatedly hampered action on issues such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, leading to growing criticism of the body’s effectiveness.

Calls for Security Council reform have also intensified. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly argued that the Council’s structure reflects the realities of 1945 rather than today’s geopolitical landscape.

Developing countries, including many from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, have pushed for greater representation and a stronger voice in global decision-making. The issue has particular significance for small and developing states such as Guyana, which have consistently advocated for a more inclusive and representative international system.

Although non-permanent members do not possess veto power, they often play influential roles in shaping negotiations, building consensus and advancing regional priorities on the global stage.

As Guyana prepares to complete its current Security Council term, the election of Trinidad and Tobago ensures that Caribbean perspectives will continue to be represented around the Council’s iconic horseshoe-shaped table in New York, where decisions affecting international peace and security are made.

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UN Security Council, UN Security Council election, United Nations

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