Brasília – Brazil was elected today (15th) by the United Nations General Assembly as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. The term will last two years – from January 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2011. In all, 182 ballots were cast by 183 voting countries. This is the tenth time that Brazil is elected for a seat in the Council – a figure matched only by Japan.
Other countries elected for the 2010-2011 term were Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria. In 2010, the Security Council will comprise the following countries: Austria, Japan, Mexico, Turkey and Uganda (for the 2009-2010 term), Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria (elected for the 2010-2011 term), and the five permanent members (China, France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia).
The country’s priorities as an elected member of the Council include stability in Haiti, the situation in Guinea-Bissau, peace in the Middle East, disarmament efforts, promoting the observance of International Human Rights, progressing in operations for maintenance of peace, and combining security with the promotion of social and economic development.
A founding member of the UN, Brazil has a long-standing tradition of contributing for peace maintenance operations. In 1956, Brazilian troops were sent for the first United Nations Emergency Force in Suez. Ever since, Brazil has participated in over 30 peace operations of the UN, and contributed with approximately 20,000 men. Presently, Brazil contributes with more than 1,300 soldiers, military observers and policemen in three different countries.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
