NAIROBI, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday welcomed the African Union's endorsement of the country's bid for a UN Security Council seat.

In a statement issued in Nairobi hours after the pan African body endorsed Nairobi for the key seat, Kenyatta called on the rest of the United Nations member states to support the country's candidature.

Kenya won the eastern Africa region spot after garnering 37 votes against Djibouti's 13 during an election held by the African Union Permanent Representatives' Committee (PRC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

"I am grateful to the African Union's PRC for the confidence they have shown by endorsing our candidature for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent seat," Kenyatta said.

He said the backing by the African Union is a mark of confidence in Kenya's capability to represent the continent's interests at the global arena.

Kenyatta expressed confidence that with the support of the continental body, the country is better placed to secure the non-permanent seat for the period 2020 to 2021 during the elections scheduled for June next year.

Kenyatta who called on the rest of the UN member states to back Kenya during the June 2020 elections, said the country's bid is informed by the critical role the UN Security Council plays in the maintenance of international peace and security.

The east African nation has lately intensified shuttle diplomacy to win backing for the non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council amid competition from Djibouti.

Kenyatta has met dozens of foreign heads of state and government to lobby for their support towards Kenya's bid at the apex UN organ charged with maintaining international peace and security.

Nairobi has previously been a non-permanent member of the council twice in 1973-1974 and 1997-1998. Enditem

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