UN General Assembly Confirms 5 Countries to Security Council

NEW YORK - The U.N. General Assembly voted Friday to give two-year terms on the powerful 15-nation Security Council to five countries.    

Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates all ran unopposed for available seats in their regional groups, and each secured the necessary two-thirds majority required of the secret ballots cast. They will begin their terms on Jan. 1, 2022. The council deals with issues of international peace and security.  It has the power to deploy peacekeepers to trouble spots and to sanction bad actors.  New members bring different experiences, perspectives and national interests to the council and can subtly affect dynamics among its members.