The United Nations welcomed a wave of new member states this week as countries formerly represented in the United Nations Verse (UNV) sought admission amid continued uncertainty surrounding the rival organisation.
The General Assembly and Eastern Hemisphere General Assembly (EHGA) approved applications from the Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Singapore, Belarus, Bangladesh, Romania and a new Indonesian administration.
The admissions represent one of the largest expansions of membership in recent months and further strengthen the UN’s position as states continue to leave the UNV.
The Cook Islands received unanimous backing from delegates, while applications from Singapore, Belarus, Bangladesh and Romania also passed comfortably. A new Indonesian administration was admitted, replacing the previous holder of the country’s seat.
Not all applications were successful. A proposal by BRD | Berlin, Deutschland to replace Germany’s current representation failed to secure sufficient support, while an application by the Republiek van Suid-Afrika to replace South Africa’s existing representative was also rejected by delegates.
Attention later turned to disciplinary measures against member states. A Russian-backed proposal seeking the expulsion of Slovenia passed the General Assembly and EHGA before being approved by the Security Council by a vote of 10-2.
A renewed Russian proposal to expel the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan also secured the support of member states. The motion later passed the Security Council by 12 votes to none, with two abstentions.
Elsewhere, UNSC member states elected Kragle_2900, representing Australia, as President of the United Nations Security Council. In a separate vote, Security Council members elected Calilahan, the representative of the United States, as Director of the United Nations Security Council.
The week’s developments underline the changing balance of international diplomacy within the organisation, with former UN Verse members continuing to migrate to the UN while member states debate the future of existing participants.