The result means Moscow loses its seat in the UN’s external watchdog for the first time since 1968.

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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.

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