Algeria’s two-year non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council marked a significant milestone, during which its diplomatic mission dedicated sustained efforts to defending just causes, foremost among them the Palestinian and Sahrawi issues, while firmly advocating for Africa’s rightful place and fair treatment within the UN’s highest security body.
Throughout its term, Algeria maintained a consistent and active presence in Security Council deliberations, reaffirming its commitment to international peace and security, respect for state sovereignty, and support for peoples facing injustice. Its voice did not waver across the council’s sessions, as it persistently raised issues related to conflicts, decolonization, and regional stability.
From the outset of its mandate, Algeria focused heavily on the Palestinian cause, particularly in the context of the ongoing war on Gaza and escalating settler violence in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. The Algerian delegation took part in dozens of Security Council meetings, calling for an end to the bloodshed and the war of extermination, while also renewing efforts to advance the issue of full UN membership for the State of Palestine. At Algeria’s initiative, a high-level Security Council meeting was convened in January, during its presidency of the council, with the participation of the UN Secretary-General.
Algeria also addressed regional crises across the Middle East and North Africa, stressing the need for collective efforts to help Lebanon overcome persistent instability, supporting Syria’s path toward restoring peace, security, and full sovereignty, and condemning repeated Zionist aggression against Syrian territory.
Libya’s stability and the protection of its frozen assets constituted another major focus of Algeria’s advocacy. Algeria called for preserving Libya’s unity, lifting the freeze on its assets through their safe investment within international financial institutions to prevent erosion of their value, and ensuring that their returns serve the Libyan people. In parallel, Algeria consistently reaffirmed the need to apply the principle of decolonization in Western Sahara, in line with UN resolutions and international legality.
Algeria further urged UN sponsorship of a political process to resolve Yemen’s prolonged crisis, called for addressing the worsening humanitarian and security situation in Sudan while safeguarding its territorial unity and holding perpetrators accountable, and advocated for ending the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and preserving Somalia’s unity and independence.
At the beginning of its second year on the council, Algeria assumed the Security Council presidency in January, dedicating it to Africa’s priorities. During this period, Algeria spearheaded efforts to promote fairness for Africa within the UN system and to strengthen international action against terrorism on the continent. A high-level meeting on counter-terrorism in Africa, chaired by Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the National Community Abroad and African Affairs Ahmed Attaf, culminated in the adoption of a presidential statement recognizing, at the highest international level, the role of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as the African Union’s champion for counter-terrorism prevention.
Under Algeria’s leadership, the Security Council’s committee on counter-terrorism financing adopted what became known as the “Algerian Guidelines,” representing a significant contribution to strengthening international peace and security. Algeria also successfully advanced the principle of equal access for all Security Council members, permanent and non-permanent alike, to internal, non-public council documents.
During its term, Algeria worked to unify Africa’s voice within the Security Council through the A3+ grouping, bringing together the three African members of the council along with Guyana.
This coordination aimed to harmonize African positions, particularly on issues directly affecting the continent, which have often faced marginalization within the council’s decision-making process.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune publicly commended the performance of Algerian diplomacy and its achievements at the Security Council, announcing the award of the Order of National Merit at the rank of Achir to Algeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Amar Bendjama. The culmination of Algeria’s two-year term came with international recognition of its diplomatic efforts, as Ambassador Bendjama was named Diplomat of the Year by the UN’s highest body.
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