On January 01, 2020, Tunisia formally assumed its seat as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2020-2021. Our country is organizing this important international body for the fourth time, as it has previously taken over this on three previous occasions (1959-1960, 1980-1981 and 2000-2001).
On Thursday, January 2, 2020, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the official procession to focus national flags for new members was held, during which the national flag was installed in the Security Council in the presence of Council members and a number of high-ranking UN officials. Niger, Vietnam, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Estonia, which in turn are organizing the Security Council, also participated in this procession.
In his speech on this occasion, the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tunisia to the United Nations, Moncef El-Baati, affirmed Tunisia's adherence to international legitimacy and its keenness to contribute to activating the purposes of the United Nations Charter and consolidating the foundations of international peace and security and settling existing conflicts and crises and preventing their occurrence and enhancing the role of women and youth in this.
He also renewed, within the framework of the constants of Tunisia's foreign policy, our country's determination to continue its efforts and its contribution to combating terrorism and extremism and to promote preventive diplomacy and advocacy of just causes, foremost of which is the Palestinian issue, along with continuing to play an active role in contributing to reaching a comprehensive political settlement in our sister Libya.
The Security Council consists of 15 countries, 5 of which are permanent members with veto power, namely the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and 10 countries that are elected for a two-year period and represent the various geographical groupings in the world.
