Bolivia Appointed as Member of UN Security Council

Bolivia secured a seat in the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, after running unopposed and having the support of the region.

RELATED:
Evo Morales Blasts New US Drug Law Targeting Coca Farmers

"​With 183 votes, Bolivia was elected as a non-permanent member of the Security Council of the UN from 2017 to 2018," said Sacha Llorenti, Bolivia's ambassador to the U.N.

Bolivia will hold the seat for the third time in its history, first serving from 1964-1965 and a second time from 1978-1979.

Ethiopia and Sweden were elected to the body. Further voting will take place to decide another two seats with Kazakhstan competing against Thailand and the Netherlands against Italy, which didn't get enough votes in the first round of voting.

The 193-member U.N. General Assembly elected Ethiopia with 185 votes, Bolivia with 183, and Sweden with 134. Countries need more than two-thirds of the vote to win a seat.

RELATED:
Latin America's Strongest Economy Seeks Russian, Chinese Funds

China, France, Russia, the U.K. and the United States are the only five permanent members of the council. 10 non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms.

Permanent states are obliged to accept and implement the decisions of the Security Council, meanwhile the remaining members can only make recommendations.

A state which is member of the U.N., but not of the Security Council, may participate without a vote in its discussions, as long as the Council considers that particular country's interests to be affected by its decisions.

More than 60 U.N. member states have never been in the Security Council.​​​​​​​

The Security Council is one of the most powerful bodies in the U.N., and can impose sanctions, endorse peace agreements and authorize use of military force in any country.