Colombia yesterday assumed its position as a nonpermanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term. This moment, long anticipated since the U.N. General Assembly elected the South American country in June of last year with 180 votes from the 193 member states, represents a historic opportunity for Bogota to lead — alongside other nations — the discussion and decision-making on crucial issues of global peace and security.
Taking up the mandate not only reactivates Colombia’s participation in the most powerful body of the multilateral system — as well as its international projection — but also underscores the international community’s recognition of the country’s active role in peace processes and its experience in matters of conflict and internal reconciliation.
Over the next two years, Colombia will occupy one of the 10 rotating seats on the Security Council, which is made up of 15 members, including five powers with veto rights. Colombia’s inclusion, having already held the seat on seven previous occasions, supports the regional agenda of Latin America and the Caribbean at the U.N. and reaffirms the relevance of strengthening multilateralism in a global context marked by persistent crises, geopolitical tensions, and complex humanitarian challenges.
Colombia takes up nonpermanent seat on UN Security Council
Colombia’s election as a nonpermanent member of the Council was celebrated as a diplomatic achievement that demonstrates the international community’s confidence in the country’s foreign policy record.
With an overwhelming majority of votes, the General Assembly elected the South American country more than six months ago, a result that was interpreted as an endorsement of both its diplomacy and its capacity for negotiation and consensus-building. From the government of President Petro, it was emphasized that the country’s role in the international body “will adopt an approach centered on human dignity.”
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time of the election, the Colombian delegation “will adopt an approach centered on human dignity, promoting conflict resolution through dialogue and the construction of a more just international order.” It also stated that it would maintain the country’s “sustained commitment to multilateralism, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and its active role in promoting international peace.”
This designation, formalized as of yesterday, Jan. 1, 2026, is effective until Dec. 31, 2027, and makes Colombia a direct protagonist in the deliberations that will define United Nations peace and security policy.
Beyond the number of votes, Colombia’s participation in the Security Council symbolizes the strengthening of the country’s role on the global stage, especially on issues in which it has sought to project its experience, such as peacebuilding processes and the consolidation of the rule of law.
Colombia inicia su mandato como miembro no permanente del Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU.
Hoy, nuestro país es uno de los protagonistas en el escenario donde se votan las decisiones más importantes para La Paz, con una voz que apuesta por el diálogo, el multilateralismo y la… pic.twitter.com/OI40JhaAWb
— Cancillería Colombia (@CancilleriaCol) January 2, 2026
Complex international landscape
The current situation presents an enormous task for Colombian diplomacy, ranging from prolonged armed conflicts in regions of Africa and the Middle East to persistent tensions among global powers, placing Colombia in a strategic position to put forward proposals focused on dialogue, conflict prevention, and the protection of human rights.
The assumption of this mandate comes at a time when the international agenda is saturated with complex issues that require effective multilateral solutions. Among the main topics the Security Council will address over the next two years are the management of humanitarian crises, peacekeeping operations, responses to armed conflicts in various regions, and the imposition of international sanctions when deemed necessary to preserve collective security.
Colombia, as a nonpermanent member, will have a voice and voting powers in these decisions, which entails a great responsibility in shaping policies that affect millions of people around the world.
This complex global context also offers a platform for Colombia to introduce alternative approaches to conflict resolution, inspired by its own internal peace processes. National experience with the 2016 Peace Agreement, although marked by challenges in its implementation, provides lessons on transitional justice, the participation of diverse players, and international accompaniment that can serve as a reference in other conflict scenarios.
The possibility of translating these lessons to a global level represents one of the most ambitious aims of Colombian diplomacy under this new mandate.
Expectations and assessments for the next two years
Colombia’s presence on the Security Council also generates expectations regarding the role the country will play in promoting respect for International Law, the protection of civilians in conflict zones, and the advancement of preventive diplomacy.
In a world where divisions among major powers often paralyze key decisions, Bogotá’s stance — oriented toward dialogue and consensus — could provide valuable perspectives to facilitate coordinated solutions. However, this role entails inherent challenges: Balancing domestic demands with the requirements of the international forum, managing polarized debates, and building strategic alliances that make it possible to advance sustainable initiatives.
For Colombia, assuming this seat is also an opportunity to consolidate bilateral and multilateral relations, while reaffirming its commitment to global peace and security. The experience accumulated through multiple previous participations on the Council will be an important asset, but new international realities require constant adaptation to changing contexts and a leadership capacity that transcends particular interests in favor of inclusive solutions.
Within this framework, the work that Colombia begins as of Jan. 1 presents itself as a historic challenge, with the potential to influence the direction of global security policies at a crucial moment for the international community.
Although the two-year term on the Security Council is limited, the decisions made during this period may have lasting repercussions. Colombia, by assuming this role with a vision centered on cooperation, peace, and respect for human rights, seeks to leave a mark that transcends its mandate and contributes to a more just and effective international order.