Chile takes seat at UN Security Council

Chile took its seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday as a non-permanent member of the international body through Dec. 31, 2015. It marked the fifth time the South American nation has been invited to sit on the council and help uphold the UN's "principles of non-intervention and respect for international treaties," Chile's foreign ministry said in a statement. During the 68th UN General Assembly held last October in New York, Chile's bid to sit on the council received unanimous backing of fellow Latin American countries, as well as countries in other parts of the world. In addition to Chile, other non-permanent members joining the council for the next two years included Chad, Lithuania and Nigeria. Chile previously sat on the UNSC from 1952-1953, 1961-1962, 1996-1997 and 2003-2004. "Chile will continue to contribute to strengthening effective multilateralism, so that the Security Council can continue to make concrete contributions to crisis prevention and resolution, which affect international peace and security in different parts of the world," the ministry said. Chile "will act in keeping with the fundamental principles of the United Nations, such as the sovereign equality of states, non-intervention, the validity and respect for international treaties, the respect and promotion of human rights, democracy, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts," the ministry added. Chile will fulfill its role at the council "with the conviction that the current complex problems and challenges require global solutions based on cooperation and solidarity," the ministry said. Chile's foreign policy adheres to the same principles and values as those of the council, the ministry said.