Harare, June 4 : Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has thanked United Nations member states for overwhelmingly supporting the country's bid for a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent seat for the 2027-2028 term.

"Today, Zimbabwe marks a significant diplomatic milestone as the nation has been elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council," Mnangagwa said on Wednesday (Local time).

He noted that the resounding victory underscores the effectiveness of Zimbabwe's engagement and re-engagement agenda, demonstrating the global community's confidence in Zimbabwe's leadership and commitment to international peace, reports Xinhua news agency.

"As we assume our seat on the global stage, Zimbabwe is poised to contribute meaningfully to international peace, security and multilateral cooperation, championing a fairer and more equitable global order while amplifying Africa's voice," Mnangagwa said.

Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe were elected non-permanent members to the UNSC on Wednesday for a two-year term. Zimbabwe's election to the UNSC marks the country's third time on the powerful body, having previously served as a non-permanent member in 1983-1984 and 1991-1992.

The newly elected members will replace the outgoing non-permanent members -- Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia -- and assume their seats on January 1, 2027, and serve until December 31, 2028.

A candidate must obtain the support of two-thirds of the UN member states present and voting at the General Assembly session in order to secure a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, regardless of whether the candidacy is contested or not. A minimum of 129 positive votes is required to win a seat if all 193 member states are present and voting. Member states that abstain are considered not voting.

There were seven candidates for the five seats available this year. Austria, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe were elected in the first round of voting, reports Xinhua news agency.

Three more rounds of voting were held before Kyrgyzstan defeated the Philippines in a contested race.

The Security Council has 15 members, five of which are permanent: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The 10 non-permanent seats of the council are allocated by geographic region, with five replaced each year.

The five newly elected countries represent the African, Asia-Pacific, Latin American and Caribbean, and Western European and Other groups. The Eastern European group is not contesting this year, as its seat, currently held by Latvia through 2027, comes up for election every other year.

The Security Council is considered the most powerful body of the United Nations. The council, tasked with maintaining international peace and security, can make legally binding decisions and has the power to impose sanctions and authorise the use of force.

/IANS