Kuwait has been elected to a second term on the UN Human Rights Council, one of 15 countries chosen by the General Assembly to serve three-year terms beginning on January 1.

Kuwait secured 173 votes in the Asia-Pacific group, while Jordan, also elected, received 171. The other newly elected members include Nepal, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Brazil and Germany. They will replace members whose terms expire on December 31.

Kuwait's new term follows directly on from its current one. Outgoing members may seek re-election provided they have not already served two consecutive terms. Others whose terms end this year include China, Cuba, France, Ghana and Japan.

Egypt, Qatar and Iraq are among the other Arab states currently sitting on the council.

The council has 47 members, elected directly by secret ballot of the General Assembly's member states. Seats are allocated on the basis of equitable geographic distribution: 13 for African states, 13 for Asia-Pacific, six for Eastern Europe, eight for Latin America and the Caribbean, and seven for Western Europe and other states.

An intergovernmental body within the UN system, the council meets at the UN Office in Geneva and has a mandate to discuss all human rights issues. It serves as a multilateral forum for addressing violations and country situations, responds to human rights emergencies, and issues recommendations on improving the implementation of human rights on the ground.