Poland has won a vote to secure a spot on the UN’s external oversight body for the first time in more than two decades, pushing Russia out of the organization in the process. In a vote by UN member states on Thursday, Poland was chosen to represent Eastern Europe at the United Nations Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), joining the body for the first time since 2002. The JIU is the only independent external watchdog with the authority to evaluate and investigate the UN across all its systems. It consists of 11 inspectors from five different global regions, or groups. Poland’s win in Thursday’s secret ballot means that, for the first time in six decades, Russia, whose term expires next year, will not hold one of the two positions in the Eastern European Group. The second spot is currently held by Moldova until 2030. Poland only narrowly secured the spot, winning 95 votes – just one more than Russia. Up until now, Moscow has held a position in the JIU since 1968. ‘Historic victory’ The Polish Foreign Ministry called the election result a “historic victory” for Poland, adding that the country’s term from 2028 to 2032 would be served by Polish UN official Jakub Chmielewski. The ministry said the win was the result of a concerted campaign by Poland’s diplomatic missions around the world and was achieved thanks largely to the joint backing of EU countries. The JIU has the power to investigate the UN in a variety of matters, such as its use of funds and administrative practices, and can make “on-the-spot” inquiries. The watchdog also advises UN organizations on their own methods for internal evaluation and aims to help ensure the UN works efficiently, including by fostering enhanced coordination. Its work includes a 2025 report on sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff which found shortfalls in the international organization’s accountability processes and recommended greater protections for vulnerable people. In 2018 the JIU also published recommendations on protections for whistleblowers after identifying a number of shortcomings in policies across the UN.
