NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Togo has been selected by the United Nations General Assembly to occupy a non-permanent seat from 2012-2013. The United Nations Security Council comprises five permanent members- China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States- and ten non-permanent members. Togo was chosen amongst two other African competitors - Morocco and Mauritania –to occupy one of the two non-permanent seats that are devoted to the African region.
Togo has a long-standing history in promoting and resolving international crises. Currently, Togolese troops are deployed in peace-keeping missions all over Africa - in Côte d'Ivoire, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo - and in Haiti. Despite its small size, Togo is among the countries that have provided the largest deployment of United Nations peacekeeping troops in Côte d'Ivoire to promote peace, security, stability, human rights and sustainable development in the country and sub-region. It was upon these achievements, among the others, that the country was elected.
“It is with great pride that I join my fellow countrymen in celebrating Togo’s s election to the United Nations Security Council. Togo is pleased to serve as a non-permanent member of the Council for during 2012-2013, as decided by the United Nations member States on Friday. “We are honored and privileged to join such an esteemed body and look forward to the positive contributions we will make to its work in maintaining and promoting international peace and security,” said Faure Gnassingbé, president of the Republic of Togo.
Togo held its first mandate as a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council from 1982 – 1983. The country that will occupy the seat from 2012 onwards is a very different country than it was almost thirty years ago. As a nation, Togo continues to make progress with its economy and with political stability. The country has seen significant development since the 2005 election of President Faure Gnassingbé. For example, since 2009, Togo’s debt has decreased by 82% and last year the country invested 1,000 billion CFA into its infrastructure.
Investment in the country and the well-being of its citizens is a top priority for the President’s administration. In 2010 alone, access to clean water increased by 38% and the number of school teachers has been increased by 40% since 2007. In 2008, free primary school education was introduced for all children as part of its broad education initiative.
President Gnassingbé continues, “Through our own development, we’ve demonstrated that we are dedicated to and invested in seeing prosperity and peace in Africa. We are a strong and growing nation and are ready to stand beside the other members of the Security Council in bringing peace, stability and security to the other nations.”
“Togo is proud to be involved in the growth of West Africa and remains committed to maintaining the region’s prosperity and stability. Membership in the United Nations Security Council gives us an ongoing remit.”
President Faure Gnassingbé serves as the current chair of the West African Economic and Monetary Union to pursue Togo’s current efforts in West Africa. Through this position, the President aids the West African States that use the CFA currency in maintaining financial stability in a troubled global economy. In addition, Togo is pleased to host the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) in its capital Lomé. Through its membership in these organizations and others, the country continues to promote the growth of West Africa and peace and stability in the sub-region.