Abstract

RODILES, Alejandro. Mexico’s fifth participation in the un security council (2021-2022): limits and possibilities of a non-permanent member in an adverse environment. Foro int [online]. 2025, vol.65, n.4, pp.973-1016.  Epub Nov 14, 2025. ISSN 0185-013X.  https://doi.org/10.24201/fi.3156.

The article analyses Mexico’s participation in the United Nations Security Council during 2021-2022, from the perspective of elected members that face legal and political constraints vis-à-vis the five permanent ones. However, non-permanent members have a variety of formal and informal institutional means at their disposal to influence the Council’s work and outcomes. The 2021-2022 biennium was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian aggression against Ukraine. While the former challenged the Council’s working methods, the latter has led it into a new era of impasse, reflecting the fragility of the current international disorder. The article assesses how the Mexican delegation made use of the means at its disposal in order to overcome the aforementioned difficulties and promote the priorities set by Mexican diplomacy, as well as the national interest. Overall, a positive balance can be struck of an active participation and modest achievements.

Keywords : Security Council; United Nations; national interest; uniting for peace; self-defense; “unwilling or unable” doctrine.

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