Bimal Patel, the Vice Chancellor of the National Defense University and Professor of the Indian National Security Advisory Board, has been elected to the United Nations for a five-year term beginning January 1, 2023. It is noteworthy that after the spectacular victory of Bimal Patel, a special function has been organized in his honor. Bimal Patel was congratulated by India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador TS Tirumurti in a tweet.
Let us tell you that this election was very competitive. Eleven strong candidates were in the fray for eight seats in the Asia-Pacific group. Of the 192 members present and voting at the United Nations General Assembly, Bimal Patel received 163 votes, topping the Asia-Pacific grouping. Candidates from China, South Korea and Japan were also present in the assembly.
India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations tweeted minutes after the election results were announced on Friday that India’s Professor Bimal Patel has been elected to the #ILC for a five-year term. Our contribution to #ILC will demonstrate our commitment to maintaining a #RuleOfLaw based and rules-based international system. A heartfelt thank you to all the countries that have shown faith in India’s candidate with the most votes in the Asia-Pacific grouping.
Professor Bimal Patel of ???????? is elected to the #ILC for a 5 year term.
Our contribution to #ILC will reflect the commitment to uphold rules-based international order, underpinned by #RuleOfLaw pic.twitter.com/4MG953GQQW
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) November 12, 2021
Significantly, India came on top with 163 votes. On the other hand, Thailand got 162 votes, followed by Japan with 154 votes and Vietnam with 145 votes. With this, China got 142 votes, while 140 South Korea, 139 Cyprus and Mongolia got 123 votes.
Talking about Bimal Patel, he is an eminent teacher, jurist and administrator and during his professional career spanning over three decades, he has served in various roles such as Director at Gujarat National Law University and Member of the 21st Law Commission of India. According to his profile on the National Defense University website, he has worked for 15 years in global organizations such as the United Nations Youth in The Hague, Netherlands, and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
The International Law Commission was established in 1947 by the General Assembly with the aim of promoting the progressive development of international law and its codification, to undertake studies and to carry out the recommendations and mandates of the Assembly. The members of the commission are selected by the General Assembly from a list of persons nominated by the governments of the member states of the United Nations.