Algiers – In June 2023, the United Nations General Assembly witnessed Algeria’s election, for the fourth time, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2024-2025 term. Securing 184 votes out of 193 member states, this return, twenty years after its last membership (2004-2005), occurred amidst a complex international landscape marked by conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, and crises in Libya, Yemen, Sudan, and Syria.
During this term, Algeria represented the voice of the Arab world, the African continent, and the Global South. It carried a legacy of struggle and a vision based on respect for international law and the right of peoples to self-determination. For two years, Algerian diplomacy, led by Ambassador Amar Bendjama, demonstrated its willingness to confront global powers in defense of just causes.
The Palestinian Cause: An Unsilenced Voice
Algeria’s unwavering stance on the Palestinian issue, particularly amidst the aggression against Gaza since October 2023, was a defining feature of its Security Council term. As the sole Arab nation on the Council, Algeria spearheaded a diplomatic effort to secure a ceasefire and alleviate the suffering of Palestinians.
On February 20, 2024, Algeria, on behalf of Arab states, presented a draft resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. While 13 out of 15 members supported the resolution, and the United Kingdom abstained, the United States vetoed it, preventing its adoption.
During that session, Ambassador Bendjama delivered a powerful speech, described by observers as one of the most impactful in the Council’s history, highlighting the message of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
