The Security Council has 15 members. The United Nations Charter
designates five States as permanent members, and the General
Assembly elects 10 other members for two-year terms. The term of
office for each non- permanent member of the Council ends on 31
December of the year indicated in parentheses next to its name.
The five permanent members of the Security Council are China,
France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United
States. The 10 non-permanent members of the Council in 1998 are
Bahrain (1999), Brazil (1999), Costa Rica (1998), Gabon (1999),
Gambia (1999), Japan (1998), Kenya (1998), Portugal (1998),
Slovenia (1999) and Sweden (1998). ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
The Economic and Social Council has 54 members, elected for
three-year terms by the General Assembly. The term of office for
each member expires on 31 December of the year indicated in
parentheses next to its name. In 1998, the Council is composed
of the following 54 States: Algeria (2000) Argentina (1998)
Bangladesh (1998) Belarus (