Indonesia has defeated the Maldives in the only contested election for a seat on the Security Council starting Jan. 1 and will join the UN’s most powerful body along with Germany, Belgium, South Africa and the Dominican Republic.

 

General Assembly President Miroslav Lajcak announced the results of the secret ballot vote Friday.

 

The four countries running without opposition in the 193-member General Assembly all received over 180 votes. Indonesia defeated the Maldives by a vote of 144-46.

 

The Security Council has five permanent members and 10 members elected by the assembly for two-year terms. Five countries are elected every year.

 

Winning a seat on the Security Council is a pinnacle of achievement for many countries because it gives them a strong voice in matters dealing with international peace and security.