The non-permanent seats are divided between regional groups: three seats for the African Group; two for the Asia-Pacific Group; two for the Latin American and Caribbean Group; two for the Western European and Others Group; and one for the Eastern European Group.

Norway belongs to the Western European and Others Group, which has two non-permanent seats on the Council for the period 2021-2022. Three candidates are competing for these seats (Canada, Ireland and Norway).

The election for the period 2021-2022 will take place during the UN General Assembly in June 2020. All the 193 UN Member States have a vote. The election is held by secret ballot.

Norway has been a member of the Security Council four times in the past: 1949-1950, 1963-1964, 1979-1980 and 2001-2002.