The Security Council is the only UN body that can make legally binding decisions such as imposing sanctions and authorizing use of force.

It has five permanent veto-wielding members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

The remaining 10 members are elected, with five new members joining every year.

Bahrain, Colombia, the DRC, Latvia, and Liberia who were all elected in uncontested slates will replace Algeria, Sierra Leone, South Korea, Guyana and Slovenia.

To ensure geographical representation, seats are allocated to regional groups.