General Assembly: Reform of the Security Council - Informal meeting of the plenary, 80th session

Good afternoon. I call to order the 12th informal meeting of the plenary on the question of equitable representation on an increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the council. We continue with the list of speakers remaining from the meeting of yesterday, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco.

Thank you, distinguished co-chairs, for giving me the floor. At the outset, allow us to commend your tireless efforts and sustained engagement in driving the Security Council reform process forward. We equally wish to express our appreciation for the exemplary manner in which you have steered this session, which has been marked throughout by transparency and inclusivity. My delegation associates itself with the statements delivered by Equatorial Guinea on behalf of the African Group and by Bahrain on behalf of the Arab Group and wishes to make the following remarks in its national capacity. Distinguished co-chairs, Morocco has taken note of the updated revised co-chairs' elements paper on convergence and divergences circulated among member states. This document provides insight into the progress achieved and the positions articulated by member states throughout the current session. It constitutes a solid foundation upon which to build further discussions in the sessions ahead and will prove instrumental in identifying areas of convergence while acknowledging persistent divergences. We welcome the reference to the African model in the elements paper and reaffirm our support for the common African position. In line with the Iswilini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. We reiterate Africa's call for no fewer than 2 permanent seats on the Security Council with all prerogatives and privileges, including the right of veto, should it be retained, as well as 5 non-permanent seats. Morocco equally shares the Arab Group's legitimate aspiration to secure a permanent seat on the Council and underscores the importance of recognizing the Arab Group as a distinct group with its own specific considerations. Distinguished co-chairs, Morocco remains firmly committed to a comprehensive reform of the Security Council aimed at enhancing its legitimacy, effectiveness, and representativeness. We affirm our commitment to inter— to the intergovernmental negotiation framework as the sole legitimate and inclusive forum for this process, grounded in General Assembly Decision 6 2/557. In this connection, we underscore the importance of maintaining deliberations across all 5 clusters, which must remain interconnected, integral, and mutually reinforcing. On the question of a single model, Morocco underlines that any such model must be firmly grounded in the genuine areas of convergence reached among member states and must reflect in a balanced manner the various proposals and models put put forward by delegations and negotiating groups. We further hold that the elaboration of a single model should neither precede nor substitute for consensus on the fundamental principles of reform; rather, it should emerge as the natural outcome of such consensus. Distinguished co-chairs, as we look ahead to the next session, it is essential to preserve coherence and continuity in our collective work. We call for a clear procedural path forward, one that consolidates the full spectrum of positions within the IGN consistent with established practice and safeguards the integrity of this process. The Kingdom of Morocco reiterates its constructive and unwavering engagement in the intergovernmental negotiations and assures you of its full support as we work collectively towards a credible and balanced reform of the Security Council under your wise and able leadership. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Morocco for his statement, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Maldives.

Thank you, co-chairs. In 1979, the Maldives was among the first 10 member states to ask that Security Council reform be placed on the agenda of the General Assembly. We did so because we believed then, as we believe now, that legitimacy is the foundation of effective action. 47 years later, the case for reform is stronger, but the result remains out of reach. We have adopted the Pact for Future. We have heard repeated calls from leaders for urgent reform. We have seen again and again that a council that does not reflect today's world struggles to command confidence when the world most needed it. The discussion in the 80th session have shown movement. The structure dialogues on models, including the presentations by the African Group, have helped bring greater clarity to positions. The recognition of support for a rotating cross-regional seat for small island developing state is important. The focus on a consolidated model is useful. Thank you. These are building blocks that must help move architecture to construction. For the Maldives, two issues are central. First, SIDS must have a dedicated pathway to the councils. SIDS are often described through vulnerability. That is true but incomplete. SIDS are also builders of consensus. We are bridge builders across regions. We have shown leadership on climate. Oceans, international law, sustainable development, and peaceful settlement of disputes. Because we are really driven by bloc politics, seats can bring balance, independence, and principled fragmentation to the Council's work. A rotating cross-regional seat would strengthen the Council's judgment. Second, Africa's historic underrepresentation must be— considered. This is a question of justice, credibility, and ownership. A Council that leaves Africa without permanent representation cannot be called equitable. The Maldives supports expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories. We support a Council that is more representative, more accountable, and better able to act. We believe the veto must not paralyze the Council in the face of more atrocities. Thank you, Excellencies, Co-chairs. We do not need another generation of diagnose. We need text-based negotiations that produce a result. Reform delayed 47 years is not cautious. It is a failure. The time has come to move to text-based negotiations. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Maldives, and I now give the floor to the distinguished Mr. Dev of Thailand.

This very important meeting regarding the revised core chairs elements paper, my delegation, which is to emphasize the following 4 points. First of all, which all 5 clusters are— well, all 5 clusters are interlinked. The urgency of global humanitarian crisis and threats to international peace and security cannot wait. Thailand, therefore, prioritizes incremental improvements to working methods that do not require UN Charter amendments as the most feasible path to enhance the Council's immediate credibility and effectiveness. Thank you. Second, we call for a more mutually reinforcing and complementary relationship between the Council and other UN bodies. We urge a more structured coordination with the General Assembly, ECOSOC, and the Peacebuilding Commission alongside, of course, deepened engagement with regional organizations including ASEAN. We also support enhancing the role of elected members particularly through more inclusive penholder and core penholder arrangements to ensure more inclusive and productive outcomes. Third, Thailand supports an expansion of the Council that ensures fair and equitable geographical representation with particular attention to developing countries and small and medium-sized states. Thank you. Including, of course, small island developing states. We also reaffirm that redressing the historical injustice against Africa remains a priority. My delegation is also ready to further explore the proposal for fixed regional seats in an effort to bridge differences and advance the discussion. Fourth, attaining a credible and accountable council requires genuine political will. If our ultimate objective is to strengthen the UN and the multilateral system, we must intensify our efforts to make the Council more inclusive, transparent, accountable, effective, and efficient in line with the commitments reaffirmed in the Pact for the Future. That requires, in particular, greater responsibility and accountability efforts on the part of the permanent members of the Council, especially in relation to the use of the veto involving mass atrocities, grave human crisis, and serious violations of international peace and security. We appreciate your tireless efforts. While we recognize the urgent need to reform, we view this process as a marathon, not a sprint. Thailand remains committed to working alongside you and all members until we reach our chair goal. Thank you very much, co-chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Thailand for his statement, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Australia.

Thank you, co-chairs, for your work during this session of the IGN and for the latest iteration of the elements paper. We recognize that this is a complex task and commend you and your teams for your leadership throughout the process. Australia remains firmly committed to meaningful and practical reform to strengthen the UN's effectiveness, transparency, and accountability. Today I make 3 points. First, the Security Council must be fit for the world as it is now, not the world of 1945. Australia is open to reforms that expand membership and improve regional balance. Greater permanent and non-permanent representation for Africa,— as well as Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean— would make the Council more credible and more effective. We also support stronger cross-regional representation for Small Island Developing States, whose leaders bring indispensable insight to today's security challenges. Second, Australia welcomes the detailed proposal from the African Union. Africa deserves greater representation on the Security Council. A significant portion of the Security Council's agenda focuses on Africa. The continent must have greater representation and more input into those deliberations. The underrepresentation of Africa is not only outdated, it is, as has been argued, a historical injustice. Third, reform must address how the Council works, not just who sits on it. Australia is pleased to see the Elements Paper notes that incremental changes can be made to the working methods of of the Security Council in its present form, without amendments to the Charter. In this vein, we welcome the African model's focus on increased transparency in the Council's working methods, including closer engagement between the presidents of the Council and the General Assembly. Australia will remain an active and pragmatic partner in Security Council reform, recognising that the Council's credibility and its capacity to uphold international peace and security depends on meaningful change. , and I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Australia for his statement, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.

Thank you, co-chairs. Indonesia thank you for your leadership and your continued commitment to a transparent and inclusive process throughout this IGN session. Indonesia considers the updates presented in the revised elements paper to be an important contribution to our collective effort reflecting co-chairs' assessment of the current state of discussions across the 5 key clusters as we prepare for our next stage of work. Our endeavor for an early reform of the Council must not regress from the previous commitments. The Council's reform must remain an essential element of the overall efforts to reform the United Nations, built on the work of past sessions. In this regard, Indonesia would like to offer some observations. First, we view the revised paper as a meaningful step forward in the reform process. Compared with the 2025 version, the revised paper offers a more straightforward presentation of divergences, helping us identify where political bridging is most needed. These improvements reflect the Quad Chair's assessment that common ground has emerged while also acknowledging remaining differences. Especially on equitable geographic representation, Indonesia welcomes the clearer acknowledgement in the 2026 paper of the persistent underrepresentation of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. This reiterates that the reform must be grounded in correcting historical imbalances and ensuring that the Council reflects today's geopolitical realities. Second, we note the inclusion of innovative ideas, including the proposal for fixed regional seats. While views differ, we must remain constructive to innovative ideas and demonstrate political wisdom and look beyond rigid positions. We encourage the co-chairs to provide further written details, particularly on term lengths, reelection modalities, and accountability mechanisms. So that this proposal can be meaningfully assessed by delegations alongside the respective models and proposals. Third, Indonesia supports the efforts to develop a consolidated model based on convergences across the 5 clusters. After more than a decade of deliberations, a consolidated model can help translate areas of convergence into a more coherent basis for negotiation. This is consistent with the growing calls by many delegations to move toward a structured basis for future negotiations, while acknowledging that consolidated model will require bringing positions together in area of divergences. Co-chairs, in closing, Indonesia encourages the co-chairs to continue refining the elements paper so that it can serve as a genuine bridge for our negotiation moving forward. Indonesia remains fully committed to working constructively with the co-chairs and all delegations in this endeavor. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Indonesia for his statement, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia.

Thank you, co-chairs. Malaysia welcomes the revised co-chairs' elements paper as transmitted to member states. We thank the co-chairs for their dedication in steering our negotiations in the current session. The revised Elements Paper continues to capture in a balanced manner the positions and views expressed during the IGN meetings at this session. We commend the co-chairs for their transparency and for their efforts to bridge divergences while preserving the convergences already achieved. Malaysia would like to express our observations on the revised paper as follows. First, on the question of the veto. Malaysia is encouraged to see that the Elements Paper captured the imperative of the debate concerning its limitation and its eventual abolition. While we remain firm that the veto should be ultimately abolished, we recognize that, so long as it exists, meaningful and effective safeguards against its abuse are indispensable. We therefore welcome the convergence reflected in the paper on the need to limit the scope on the scope and use of the veto, and we look forward to continuing this important discussion in a constructive spirit. Second, on categories of membership, Malaysia notes with interest the co-chair's bridging proposal on fixed regional seats. We consider it a constructive contribution that merits further reflection. At the same time, several details could benefit from further clarification, including the criteria for selection, the duration and renewal of terms, and the mechanisms for review and accountability. We further welcome the presentation of the model by the African Group as an important and long-awaited contribution, and we reaffirm our support for redressing the historical injustice against Africa. Third, on the relationship between the Security Council and General Assembly, Malaysia continues to support efforts to strengthen the cooperation and complementarity between the Council and the Assembly, in full respect of their respective mandates under the Charter. We attach particular importance to enhancing transparency, accountability and coordination, including through more substantive annual reports, regular meetings between the Presidents of both organs, and greater access and participation for non-Council members in the work of the Council. Finally, on the expansion and size of the Security Council, Malaysia supports the expansion of the Council in a manner that renders it more democratic, inclusive, and representative of the current membership and the realities of the contemporary world. We welcome the shared agreement reflected in the Elements Paper on the need to improve the representation of underrepresented regions, including the Asia-Pacific, the Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as Small Island Developing States. While treating Africa as a special case. We emphasize, however, that expansion without addressing key structural imbalances, specifically the reform of the veto, would be incomplete and would fall short of the objective of creating a more democratic, accountable, and representative Security Council. Kuchess, to conclude, rest assured of Malaysia's support of this process and our commitment to improving the effectiveness, inclusivity, and legitimacy of the Security Council. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Malaysia for his statement, and we have now heard the last speaker of this session, and I would like to thank all delegations for their contributions. We will not be having a closed session, as we felt the nature of this final meeting does not require one, and we don't want to hold you up. Any longer. So as we close the final plenary meeting of the IGN for the 80th session, I would first like to thank all member states for their attendance and participation today and during all the meetings of the past year. It is wonderful to see that everybody is dedicated to moving this process ahead. Secondly, we are very grateful for your comments made yesterday and today. The elements paper, as some of you pointed out, comes from the co-chairs and is therefore a reflection of how we see the process and the areas of convergence and divergences that we identified this year. However, we heard your reflections and will take that into consideration while drafting the final version of the paper. Now, on the way forward, it is a bittersweet moment because this is our last meeting, but our mandate does not end until the end of the session. So if Anyone wants to submit letters, revised models, or new models, you are very welcome to do so. Though the intention is that we will circulate a final version of the elements paper relatively soon. We will then also share the paper with the President of the General Assembly with an accompanying letter and hope that they will be able to schedule a session to adopt a decision of the General Assembly on the way forward for for the IGN for the next session. Lastly, before we close, I would like to thank the team that has made this IGN session possible, because the co-chairs would be nowhere without them. So I would like to start by thanking the Secretariat, with all the technical and logistical aspects that go into organizing these meetings, the interpretation team in the booth that made these meetings accessible to all, I would like to thank my fellow co-chair who unfortunately couldn't be here today, but also on his behalf, I would like to thank our wonderful teams that have assisted us along the way, Aya, who's not here, but Khalid and Muriel. So once again, thank you very much for your participation in this session, and you will hear from us very soon. The meeting is adjourned.