The non-permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations Organization are appointed for a period of ………….. years(s).

Analyze the question: The question asks how long the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council serve.

Concept: The UN Security Council has 15 members:

• 5 permanent members (P5): USA, UK, France, Russia (formerly USSR), and China. They have veto power.
• 10 non-permanent members, elected by the General Assembly for a two-year term. Five are elected each year, so the Council keeps some continuity.

The non-permanent seats are shared among regions (for example, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and Western Europe and others). Nigeria has served several times, and each term lasts two years.

Solution:

1. Permanent members: no fixed term.
2. Non-permanent members: elected for a fixed term.
3. The term length is 2 years, and a retiring member cannot be immediately re-elected.

Note: before the 1965 amendment of the UN Charter, the Council had 11 members (6 non-permanent). The term was still two years, so the answer is the same for a 2004 exam.

Answer: Option B, two years.

Tip: Remember "5 permanent, 10 non-permanent, 2-year terms". Five new members are elected each year, which is why the term is two years.