Informal Consultation for the Security Council Annual Report - General Assembly, Informal meeting, 80th session

Good morning, everybody.

I call to order the informal meeting of the Plenary on the report of the Security Council. I would like to warmly welcome all of you to this meeting. This meeting is convened in accordance with Resolution 79327 of September 5, 2025, in which the assembly reiterated the importance of the Security Council continuing its efforts to improve its annual report to the assembly and requested the continuation of the practice of convening an informal meeting every January to allow Member States and observers to express their views ahead of the completion of the introduction of the annual report of the Council. In this regard, I am pleased to welcome His Excellency Asim Iftikar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan, the Council member responsible for the coordination of the introduction to the annual report of the Council to the Assembly. I will now make a short statement as the President of the General Assembly.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, we meet today for the third informal meeting on the UN Security Council report convened in response to the membership's call for a more transparent, analytical and consultative approach to drafting the report. The drafting of this report falls within the remit of the Security Council, which bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Yet this is a moment marked by the proliferation of crises, deepening geopolitical divisions and increased pressure on the multilateral system. It is thus increasingly evident that the complementary roles of the Security Council and the General assembly are both indispensable to upholding the core principles of our United nations for the first time. This year's meeting is also mandated by the General Assembly's revitalization resolution, underscoring the collective will of the membership to enhance cooperation between the General assembly and the Security Council.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Pakistan as a Council member responsible for preparing this report for this year, for its cooperation and engagement in facilitating this process. I also encourage Member States and observers to make full use of this opportunity to share your views that are constructive, forward looking and operational. At a time when the credibility and effectiveness of multilateralism are being tested, our ability to listen to one another, to. To engage across institutional lines and to work together in good faith is more important than ever. Only through such collective effort can we rise to the challenges confronting international peace and security today.

I thank you. I now give the floor to His Excellency Asim Iftikar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan.

Please, your Excellency, Madam President and distinguished colleagues. Very good morning. At the outset I would like to thank you, Madam pga, for convening today's meeting in close coordination with my mission and we welcome this practice to engage with the wider UN membership in this inclusive format as an important exercise to gather your perspectives and views, dear colleagues, on the Annual Report of the Security Council.

In accordance with Article 24, paragraph 3 of the UN Charter and the guidance contained in Presidential Note 507, the Security Council submits annually a report on its activities to the General assembly for consideration and discussion by all Member States. For the reporting period from 1st January to 31st December of 2025, Pakistan has been entrusted in its capacity as President of the Council for the month of July 2025 to prepare the introduction to this report. We approach this task with a great sense of responsibility. Pakistan views this work not just a procedural formality, but as a core and important mechanism through which the Council explains its actions, reflects on its performance, and in the process strengthens its relationship with the wider membership. Today's meeting reflects that spirit.

Presidential Note 507 encourages the council to hold interactive, informal exchanges with the wider membership when preparing the Introduction, a practice further encouraged by General assembly resolution 79327 on revitalization. Our objective is to ensure that the Introduction is substantive, balanced and responsive to the expectations of Member States. As an elected Member, Pakistan sees the General assembly as its core constituency. This is Pakistan's eighth term on the Council, and across these tenures we have remained committed to advance the purposes and principles of the Charter, respect for international law, peaceful settlement of disputes and the strong commitment to inclusive and effective multilateralism. We have consistently worked to strengthen transparency, improve working methods and enhance the responsiveness of the Council to the concerns of the broader membership.

Colleagues. In this context, Pakistan also currently co chairs the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions alongside Denmark, and together with all Council members, we are pursuing practical improvements to promote openness, predictability and inclusivity in the Council's work. Timely, accurate and meaningful reporting to the General assembly is an integral part of these efforts. As penholder, Pakistan will pay close attention to your views and recommendations, including proposals to strengthen the analytical character of the Introduction. Your insights are essential for enhancing transparency, improving the quality of the report and reinforcing the Council's accountability to the General Assembly.

We appreciate the continued support of the Office of the President of the General assembly, and I thank you personally, Madam President, for facilitating the timely organization of today's meeting. We look forward, as in previous years, to receiving a summary of the discussions. Colleagues, the Council is seized of a wide range of country specific and thematic issues that are under its active consideration. Monthly presidencies routinely hold signature events, usually in the form of open debates, to engage the wider membership on key questions of international peace and security. In our view, it is essential that Council deliver on these issues in full accordance with its primary responsibility and its charter for maintenance of international peace and security.

At a time of growing complexity in the international environment, marked by heightened geopolitical tensions, the Council must remain focused, principled and responsive. As you know, Pakistan is responsible only for drafting the introduction of the report for consideration of Council members. The other sections of the report, including its annexes, are prepared by the Secretariat for approval by the current membership, as well as the immediate past elected members who served during the reporting period. We attach importance to respecting the timeline set out in Presidential Note 507 so that the General assembly can consider the report in a timely and meaningful manner. As penholder, we will continue to engage constructively with all Council members, including those who concluded their terms in December 2025 and will keep this exercise focused, balanced and professional.

So we look forward to your views on how the Council can better reflect on its work, its challenges and its responsibilities towards the wider membership. Hi. Thank you.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Pakistan for the very in depth report and the engagement in the process. I now open the floor for the comments or questions. There's no pre established list of speakers for this meeting. Delegations wishing to deliver statements are invited to indicate by pressing the microphone button. Those speaking on behalf of a group should approach the Secretariat in order to be given priority in the speaking order, as announced in my letter dated January 6, 2026.

Speaking time during this informal meeting shall be limited to three minutes for delegations speaking in their national capacity and five minutes for statements made on behalf of a group of States to assist delegations in managing their time. A countdown clock will be displaced and as before, on the screens. Please be advised that these time limits will be strictly enforced, including through the use of an automatic microphone cutoff when the allotted time has expired. I thank you for your cooperation. I now give the floor to the first speaker, the distinguished representative of Portugal, on behalf of the Accountability, Consistency and Transparency Group.

Thank you, Madam President, Ambassador of Pakistan Excellencies, Today I have the honor to speak on behalf of the 27 members of the ACT group committed to promoting a more transparent, effective and accountable United nations, including through improved working methods of the Security Council and stronger interaction with the General Assembly. We thank you for convening this informal consultation in line with note 507 and resolution 79, 327, and for continuing a practice that the wider membership has repeatedly welcomed. The experience of the last two years demonstrates that these early exchanges between the two bodies enhance the quality and substance of the introduction to the Security Council Annual Report. Overall, this exchange is strengthening the report relevance as an accountability instrument vis a vis the General Assembly. Excellency, allow me to make three sets of observations drawing on the lessons identified during the 2025 Informal Consultation and the subsequent General assembly debate.

First, on the process. The Annual Report should be adopted by the Council no later than 30 May 2026, allowing for its consideration by the GA in June or earlier, if agreed by the Council ahead of time, to ensure a timely and relevant review of the Council's work by the ga. Second, on the substance, we acknowledge the efforts made in recent reports to move beyond the statistics and a purely descriptive account of the Council's work. However, the introduction would benefit from further analytical depth. The membership has consistently called for the report to identify trends in the Council's work, including areas where it was able to act decisively on situations where it was unable to do so despite evident need. In this regard, the ACT Group again encourages the inclusion of information on draft resolutions that failed to be adopted, including their purpose, main provisions, voting records and reasons for non adoption analysis of the implementation of Council resolutions and decisions, including constraints and gaps, and greater transparency regarding close consultations and discussions held under any other business.

We also welcome the continued inclusion of statistics, including disaggregated data on the participation of women and civil society briefers, and encourage their systematic presentation, as well as information on the Council's field visits, which are critical to contribute to Council members understanding of affected countries and informing decision making. Third, on accountability, the standalone chapter on the use of veto has become an important accountability feature of the Annual Report. We encourage further efforts to reflect explanations of vote and to situate the use of the veto within a broader analysis of the Council's ability to discharge its responsibilities. More broadly, we underline the importance of timely monthly assessments by Council presidencies, as this assessment reflects the views of the Presidency in its national capacity. They should remain analytical and and detailed.

They are a valuable complement to the work of the Security Council Affairs Division and the Repertoire of practice, and they form a critical part of the Council Institutional's memory and are welcome when shared in a timely manner with the broader membership. We hope to see the Council achieve a full set of 12 such assessments in 2025 annual report and encourage all Council Presidents from the past year to do their utmost to ensure that assessments are completed at the latest in time for the report's adoption. Finally, we reiterate the value of closing the feedback loop between the General assembly and the Security Council. Summaries prepared by the Office of the President of General assembly, reflecting the views expressed during consultations and debates, are an important tool to ensure continuity and follow up. We encourage that these recommendations continue to inform the work of the informal Working Group on documentation and other procedural questions.

The ACT Group stands ready to engage constructively with Pakistan and the Council member responsible for drafting the introduction of this year's Annual Report and with all Council members throughout this process. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Portugal on behalf of the Egg Group. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the King and of the Netherlands on behalf of the Benelux countries.

Thank you. Thank you very much. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Benelux countries, Belgium, Luxembourg and my own country, the Kingdom of the Netherlands. I would like to start by thanking the President of the General Assembly, Ms. Annalena Baerbock, for convening this meeting and a permanent representative of Pakistan, Mr. Asim Ahmad, for taking up the role of penholder for the Annual report of the Security Council and the General Assembly. Allow me to recall that while the Security Council bears primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the General assembly also has a clear mandate to contribute to this objective.

The Annual report of the Security Council should therefore serve not only as a record of activities, but as a meaningful tool for accountability, reflection and collective understanding. We welcome the continued substantive exchanges between the General assembly and the Security Council. As in today's meeting, in line with paragraph 11 of resolution 793 to 7, we suggest four modest but practical improvements to the Council's report. First, the Report should become more analytical. Beyond listing meetings, resolutions and briefings, it should better assess how the Council sought to advance conflict resolution and maintenance of peace.

What political or operational challenges it faced, as well as where its efforts fail fell short. Second, the Report should include a structured reflection on the use of veto, as well as on steps Taken to improve transparency and inclusivity in Council working methods, a factual and contextual analysis would already add significant value. Third, the Report should more clearly identify avenues through which the General assembly may complement the Council's work, whether through preventive diplomacy, peace building, norm setting or broader political engagement, while fully respecting distinct mandates of each organ. Fourth, and finally, without prejudging intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform, the Report could systematically reflect on institutional working methods that reflect effectiveness, legitimacy as well as roles such as the role of elected members, pen holdership practices, burden sharing and the Council's responsiveness to evolving conflict dynamics.

And let me just conclude by saying that we are of course very realistic about what is possible, but even incremental improvements in analysis, reflection and openness would significantly enhance the Report's relevance, credibility and utility for the wider UN membership. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the King and of the Netherlands on behalf of the Benelux countries. We have so far no further requests from groups, so we continue with individual member states. 3 minutes time limit.

First, the distinguished representative of other Austria, followed by Egypt and Namibia.

Thank you, Madam President. And thank you, dear Asim. Austria aligns fully with the statement delivered by Portugal on behalf of the ACT Group. First, we welcome the continuation of these informal consultations. Early engagement with a wider membership here at the General assembly does strengthen the relevance and the role of the Annual Report as an accountability instrument vis a vis the General Assembly.

Second, Austria supports further efforts to make the introduction of the Report more analytical. Beyond describing activities. The Report should help the membership understand key trends in the Council's work, including situations where the Council was able to act decisively and those where it was unable to do so despite evident need. In this context, greater transparency on draft resolutions that were not adopted remain essential. Providing information on their purpose, voting outcomes and reasons for non adoptions would significantly enhance the Report's explanatory value.

Third, accountability with regard to the use of the veto remains a central concern for Austria. The repeated use and also misuse of the veto has tangible consequences for the credibility of the Council and the whole United nations and for those affected by conflict on the ground. Austria therefore strongly welcomes the continued inclusion of a standalone chapter on v2user in the annual Report, but believes that this chapter should go beyond factual listings. It should systematically reflect explanations of vote and place each veto in its political and operational context. Madam President, greater transparency in this area is not an end in itself.

It is essential for preserving trust in the Council at a time when its effectiveness is under increasing scrutiny. Fourth, and finally, Austria would also like to highlight the important role of the Security Council's subsidiary bodies. More systematic and substantive reporting on their work would contribute to a more complete and balanced picture in the Council's annual Report. In this context, we again call for a swift agreement on the chairs of the subsidiary bodies as a prerequisite for the effective functioning. Austria also, in view of our candidature, stands ready to engage constructively throughout the process.

I thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of Austria. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Egypt.

Madam President, Egypt welcomes the continuation of this informal practice as mandated by the ga, which strengthens transparency, accountability and dialogue between the Security Council and the wider membership of the organization. And we also thank Pakistan for their efforts and express our support for their penholdership of the introduction to the report. The Council's annual Report is the primary accountability instrument of the Security Council to the General Assembly. Egypt appreciates efforts made in recent years to improve the Report's structure, clarity and factual completeness, particularly in the introduction. Yet further improvement could be achieved, especially in moving beyond descriptive listings of meetings and outcomes.

The report could offer analytical reflection on how decisions were reached, patterns in the use of veto and the impacts of the Council decisions on the actual course of events on the ground. The report should also reflect diverse regional perspectives, particularly those of regions most affected by Council decisions. Greater engagement with troop and police contributing countries, host countries and regional organizations should also be more clearly captured in the report. We encourage more inclusive approach to the pen holdership of the introduction to the Report and more systematic reporting on informal consultations and closed formats. We discourage the increasing resorting to informal mechanisms that limit broader participation.

Transparency in working methods of the Security Council is not procedural, it is substantive and it directly affects the legitimacy of Council outcomes. Last but not least, the Report should candidly address situations where the Council was unable to act effectively, particularly in cases involving prolonged conflicts, large scale humanitarian crises and the repeated use of the veto. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Egypt. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Namibia, followed by Singapore and Cuba.

Madam President. Your Excellencies. The convening of our discussion today has its origins in Resolution 79, 327, which was inspired by Article 15 of the United Nations Charter regarding the presentation of annual and special reports by the Security Council to the UN General assembly on measures that the Security Council has decided upon or taken to maintain international peace and security. This practice has proven to be useful in that it contributes to the enhancement of transparency and reinforces synergies, coherence and complementarity between the General assembly and Security Council on matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security. Namibia therefore welcomes this platform for expression of views ahead of the completion of the introduction of the annual report of the Security Council to the General Assembly.

Without doubt, the reform of the UN Security Council will remain a topical issue on any discussion on matters relating to the relationship between the General assembly and the Security Council. One cannot fathom another 80 years without the equitable representation in the permanent category of the entire continent of 54 countries. Members of the United Nations. In this regard, Africa's special case within the reform process of the UN Security Council has been accepted by all Member States as reflected in the Pact for the future. The time has now arrived for us to ensure that Council is effective, credible and and responsive to emerging peace and security challenges.

Madam President, the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and in this regard its members are particularly obliged to ensure that the principles of the Charter are respected and upheld. This includes, amongst others, respect for sovereign equality of States, territorial integrity and political independence of all nations, respect for international law and treaty obligations and the development of friendly relations amongst nations based on the respect for the principle of equal rights and self determination of peoples. In doing so, the States are obliged to strengthen universal peace and in particular through international cooperation. Towards this end, dialogue and diplomacy must be prioritized and the resolution of disputes by peaceful means must be pursued to resolve differences amongst nations. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Namibia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Singapore.

Madam President, Singapore appreciates your convening of this informal meeting. I also wish to thank the Pakistan Ambassador for his remarks as Penhulton of the introduction to the Annual Report. This meeting is an opportunity for the wider UN membership to express our views on the Security Council's Annual Report as it is being drafted. This has been a long standing call by Singapore and we hope that this practice will continue on an annual basis. Allow me to offer some suggestions and observations.

First, the annual debate on the report of the Council is is an important exercise in transparency and accountability. It is therefore key that Member States receive the report before the deadline of in May as set out in paragraph 151 of note 507. This will allow Member States to provide timely feedback to the Council during the annual debate.

This feedback channel remains essential for the credibility and legitimacy of the Council. Second, we urge Council members to draft a report that provides the UN membership with A comprehensive assessment and perspectives on the Council's work, key developments, trends as well as significant outcomes. This would be more useful than a descriptive report that comprises a listing and description of resolutions, statements, meetings and other correspondence, which has been the tendency of the recent annual reports. For example, the annual report could include an analysis of where the use of the veto has blocked Council action and the geopolitical factors that have led to paralysis within the Council on certain files. Another area that the report could shed light on is the renewal of sanctions regimes mandated by the Council.

It would be useful for the report to provide an analysis on the patterns of abstentions on sanctions renewals, especially since these abstentions may signal concerns about their effectiveness, humanitarian impact or the ability to enforce them. While we recognise that there may be challenges in achieving consensus on a qualitative analysis of the Council's work, we believe that Council members can make a greater effort to produce a more substantive and analytical introductory chapter. We hope that the Council will take these suggestions into consideration as it drafts the report. Singapore looks forward to providing its views on the substance of the report during the annual debate. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Singapore. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba, followed by Indonesia and Romania.

Madam President, we welcome the convening of these consultations and the briefing provided by Pakistan. As has been said, the presentation of these reports from the Council should be exhaustive in analytical documents. They should facilitate the analysis of the decisions taken by that body, for instance, in the context of the Israeli genocide in Gaza, including throughout all of last year, which is the period encompassed by the report. We think that the document should include an analysis of the violations of the Council's resolutions by the occupying power in the light of the escalation of the situation in Gaza last year. We think that the document should contain an exhaustive analysis about the causes of current threats to international and regional peace and security, such as, for instance, the case for our region with the recent escalation and military deployment in the Caribbean Sea, which led to a military aggression by the United States against Venezuela.

We also need to see mention of the paralysis in the Council as a result of the United States recent repeated use of the veto, which has hindered the Council's ability to uphold international peace and security. The Council should ensure that the annual reports contributes to a genuine exercise in accountability where all Member States are represented. And this is how the Council should act in line with the Charter. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative from Cuba.

And I give the floor to the distinguished Representative from Indonesia.

Thank you, Madam President. Indonesia comments the PGA and Pakistan for confirming these informal consultations. Engaging all Member States in the preparations of the Security Council's annual report. Reflecting on the stock challenges in 2025. The pressures for the UN will only intensify in 2026, and we cannot ignore the link between today's mounting disorder with the constraint in the Councils, including as shown by the fourth faith cast in 2025 on critical issues.

This deadlock is not merely procedural challenges, but reflections of widening differences among its members. Therefore, it is time for the annual report to move beyond factual summary toward a more substantive account. This would compel the Councils to assess its work in order to improve its effectiveness. Moving ahead Mr. God, allow me to highlight two points. First, the need to include strategic analysis within the report.

Comprehensive analysis will enhance the report's value. For instance, on conflict prevention and early response strategies achieved by the Councils. The urgency for strategic analysis is heightened, especially as peace operations, mandates and models have evolved in 2025. This is especially shown by this authorized in Haiti and Gaza. And such analysis is important not only for troop contributing countries, but also for the ongoing Secretary General's review of peace operations.

Second, incorporating systemic assessment of the working methods. As disengagement from multilateralism grows, a more transparent report can provide the predictability that Member States currently find lacking. Implementing a systematic assessment of the Council's procedures is essential to facilitate more agile decision making. The report should also identify procedural bottlenecks and promote best practices that will strengthen the Council's credibility. Madam President, in the face of increasingly unpredictable peace and security challenges, the report must serve as a pillar for more principled multilateralisms.

Indonesia remains steadfast in this endeavor toward a Council that is more effective, democratic, transparent and representative. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Indonesia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Romania, followed by Angola and Australia.

Thank you very much, Madam President.

I also want to thank our colleague from Pakistan which coordinates this effort in preparing the report of the Security Council. I want to know that this actual implementation of Resolution 79, 327 revitalization is for the third time that we discuss in the General assembly, and I think it's a good practice that needs to continue. From these extensive consultations we had last year in the previous session, I think Member States in general place utmost priority to issues related to peace and security. And I think this relationship between the Security Council and the General assembly is very much important. Membership expects an enhanced interaction and improved cooperation.

And I think it's doable I think also it builds on Article 241 of the UN Charter, which clarifies indeed that the Security Council acts on behalf of the entire membership, so representing all Member states. And that's why I think we need to equip this effort with the necessary degree of transparency, but also information on how the Security Council carries out its work on the content of the report. We would like to continue the practice of including and expanding information on the use of veto, which is a very important aspect. I think the General assembly complements and contributes to this very important debates when a veto is exercised. I also want to point that for the first time Member States codified in Resolution 179327 the issue of the veto in matters involving mass atrocities and genocide.

It's for the first time that I think we do call it in a consensual way. We call on all Member States to refrain from measures impeding action to prevent or end the commission of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. And this builds very much on the Mexico France initiative that was initiated several about 10 years ago already. And that's why I think the annual report should include elements on the implementation of this collective commitment as well. Last point on the selection and appointment of the Secretary General, which is important as the Security Council and presidency and the President of the General assembly issued the letter.

I think this information, but also deliberations in the Council leading to the content of this letter would be important to include in the annual report for 2025, not to, you know, to scrutinize the work of the Council, but to inform further deliberations by Member States on how to improve this process. Thank you very much, Madam President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Romania. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Angola.

Thank you for convening this interactive informal consultation on the preparation of the 2025 Security Council report. Angola welcome this opportunity for the wider membership to share perspectives and provide the practical contribution to the Security Council on its effort to improve its annual report. To the General assembly, we commend the progress and improvements made in the Security Council's report since the inception of this practice. Nevertheless, we feel that there is still room for further improvement as follows. We suggest inclusion of more detailed information on the effectiveness of the implementation of the provisions of the Security Council mandate resolution on special political mission and peacekeeping operations.

We see the need for further elaboration on the effectiveness of sanctions regime, including for peace and security, as well as the incorporation of information regarding compliance of sanctions regime in general. We encourage the security Council to work expeditiously on the adoption of the report within the deadline by 30 May to allow its timely consideration by General Assembly. We welcome the inclusion of a section on the use of veto. We need a more elaborate explanation of why each veto was cast to enhance transparency and accountability. Penholdership remains one of the most controversial issues of Security Council working methods.

In our view, the report should include suggestions on how to achieve a more equitable distribution among all members. We ready to call for a more robust and analytical report, particularly by including details on emerging trends, challenges and opportunities. During the last session, we witnessed a prolonged deadlock among Council members over the chairmanship of the Security Council subsidiary bodies, including Sanctions Committee. We would appreciate if lessons learned from this unfortunate event were shared in the report for the benefit of the wider membership. Madam President.

Finally, we strongly encourage the continuation of this practice. Having an informal interaction on an annual basis enhances transparency, reinforce accountability and build stronger cooperation between the assembly and the Council. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Angola. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Australia, followed by Japan and Germany.

Thank you, President. Australia commends the President of the General assembly for the continuation of this very important initiative. And we also thank Pakistan for its role in coordinating the introduction of the Security Council's annual report. President Today I'll make four points. First, the annual report of the Security Council gives transparency to the Council's work in pursuit of the maintenance of international peace and security.

Human rights and development are intrinsically connected to peace and are vital to early warning, conflict prevention and peace. Building greater transparency and stronger coordination between not only the General assembly and the Security Council, but also ECOSOC and the Peacebuilding Commission can assist the Council to fulfil its responsibility and to enhance the UN's impact on the ground. In in particular, Australia has consistently urged the Council to engage the Peacebuilding Commission's advisory role, particularly before mandate renewals and in transition contexts, to ensure post conflict transition planning is integrated into special political and peace operation mandates. We would welcome a deeper analysis and assessment of the Council's engagement with the Peacebuilding Commission in the annual report. Second, the Security Council could implement several changes to its working practices, including avoiding delays in appointing subsidiary body chairs, as did occur in 2025.

We'd like to see this issue reflected in the report's introduction, with concrete proposals for increased efficiency and transparency in the appointment process and substantive reporting on the work of the bodies themselves. We continue to urge the Council to make timely appointments this year. Third Australia joins those who have already spoken this morning to urge for more transparency around the work of the Council that it did not do or that it could not do, and why. And finally, Australia welcomes the Security Council's commitment to a transparent and inclusive process for the selection of the next Secretary General. At this crucial time for the un, the entire membership has an important role to play in ensuring the next Secretary General brings a clear vision for the organisation's future and for delivering reform that ensures its efficiency and effectiveness.

President, we very much welcome this discussion and this coordination. We look forward to reflecting on the achievements of the Security Council and considering as a full membership how it can be strengthened to meet its core mandate. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Australia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Japan.

Madam President, at the outset I would like to express my appreciation to you for convening today's meeting. I also thank Ambassador Ahmed, Permanent Representative of Pakistan, for for his introductory remarks. Japan has consistently and fully committed to enhancing the transparency of the working methods of the Security Council, particularly through assuming the role of Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and other Procedural questions. IWG the Security Council Annual Report is one of the key communication channels between the General assembly and the Security Council. As stipulated in the UN Charter, it provides useful material for reviewing and evaluating the activities of the Council over the past year, identifying challenges and applying these insights to future work.

Therefore, its content must be sufficiently detailed and substantive. From this perspective, Japan proposes that the monthly assessments currently issued as separate Security Council documents, be attached to the Annual Reports, as was the practice when they were first introduced in 1997, as stipulated in the Note by the President of the Security Council S 1997. 451. Originally, the Monthly assessments were prepared by the Presidency of the Month in its national capacity and attached to the Annual Report. Though nearly all presidencies prepared the assessments until 2013, the number of months without assessments gradually increased and the publication of the assessments has become patchy.

Furthermore, even when the monthly assessments are prepared, there are often significant delays before esseans, undermining their timelines. This situation reduces transparency of the Council's activities and requires correction. While the content of the assessments prepared under the national capacity of the monthly Presidency does not necessarily reflect the Council's consensual views, it is expected to be more substantive and analytical. This would help Member States to understand the substance of discussions within the Council. This proposal requires technical and procedural considerations, including coordination with the annual report preparation schedule.

Japan is ready to listen to views from Member States on our proposal to further explore ways to ensure the creation of more useful and meaningful annual Report. We look forward to continuing our close cooperation with all Member States to ensure that the Security Council remains transparent, efficient and effective body for the maintenance of international peace and security. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Japan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Germany, followed by El Salvador and the United Arab Emirates.

Madam President, first of all, thank you for the timely convening of this important meeting today. I also thank the distinguished Permanent Representative of Pakistan for his remarks. We are witnessing a deep crisis of the Security Council, one that impacts perception of the entire United nations system. All too often, achievements of the Security Council are insufficiently visible and lack clear, forward looking messaging. In 2025, the Security Council achieved important results.

It reinforced international security support for Haiti. It endorsed the ceasefire in Gaza. Advanced diplomatic reintegration of Syria. Madam President, a report of the Security Council should serve three transparency, analysis and public accountability. It should draw a differentiated picture in order to counter the simplistic narratives of a gridlocked forum.

The report should present clearly and in plain language what has been achieved and why these achievements matter. It must also be candid about shortcomings. Naming failures strengthens credibility. In this respect, the chapter assessing veto use is a step in the right direction. We suggest it to encompass a trend analysis and to enumerate resolution projects which have been withdrawn.

On several occasions when the Council was blocked, the General assembly sprang into action. The annual report should help make this important element more visible. The same applies for the cooperation between the Security Council and the Peace Building Commission. With a view to the next report, let me less can be more a clearer structure of the introduction, a concise executive summary accessible to non specialists and a presentation of the year's key decisions and lessons learned. Visuals could help.

Charts on activity levels, voting patterns and thematic trends. A strong report can contribute to a more realistic picture of the Council in the General assembly and in the broader public. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Germany. I now give the floor to the senior representative of El Salvador.

Senora Presidenta. Permita me Commensa. Madam President, allow me to begin by thanking you for convening this informal meeting and for commending your leadership in guiding this important process. We would like to express our appreciation to the distinguished representative of Pakistan for their efforts in coordinating the preparation of this report and for the efforts to engage the wider membership in a transparent and inclusive manner. We believe that this report should not just inform.

It should provide insights and enhance preventive action.

We think that there needs to be a more detailed, systematic analysis of the situations that remain under the Council's agenda, which would allow us really to look at the real impact of the resolutions as well as the main obstacles for their implementation. Only through that approach will it be possible to reduce the gap between decisions taken in New York and realities on the ground.

Given the deep concern expressed by many Member States regarding the recurrent use of the veto, we support the continued inclusion in the Annual Report of the dedicated chapter providing detailed explanations by those who exercised the veto alongside statistical data enabling an objective, transparent and historical analysis of its use.

We believe there need to be information about the meetings arranged by the General assembly in that regard. We would also like to underscore the importance of incorporating segregated data on the participation of women in the work of the Council. We think this data is critical to assess progress towards equality, identify persistent gaps in representation and participation, and to inform more targeted and affected efforts to advance the women, peace and security agenda. Another dimension we consider particularly relevant is the documentation of the Security Council's open debates. These debates not only allow for broad participation by Member States, but they also serve as essential platforms for the presentation of substantive recommendations.

We therefore encourage the systematic inclusion of references to the summaries that reflect the voices expressed during these exchanges. Finally, we highlight the importance of including information on the interaction between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. This relationship is critical to ensuring effective transitions from emergency responses to sustainable peace building efforts addressing the root causes of conflict Madam President, we look forward to the forthcoming Annual Report and remain committed to contributing constructively to a more transparent, analytical and results oriented process. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of El Salvador.

I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Arab Emirates, followed by India and Jordan.

Madam President, thank you for conveying this meeting and we also express our appreciation to Pakistan as the Council Member responsible for coordinating the introduction of the Annual Report. The UAE welcomed this opportunity for the wider membership to share their views on the drafting of the introduction to the Report. Both the latest GA revitalization resolution and NAOT 507 support this consultative approach. Allow me to share some points in this regard. First, it would be useful for the introduction to the Report to reference the relevant terms of the latest GA revitalization resolution concerning the annual report, Article 243 of the UN Charter and Note 507 which gives guidance on the content and timing of the Annual Report in its section 12.

These various provisions set out the basis and guidance for the Annual Report and are worth referencing in a significant way. Second, on timelines, I also take this opportunity to underscore our support for adherence to the timelines in note 507 for the completion of the Introduction and adoption of the Annual Report. Third, as a practical matter, it would be useful to have footnotes or links in the Introduction where appropriate. For example, last year's Report states that the procedure matters were put to a vote on eight occasions. It would have been useful to have the links to the pv's or formal description of the meetings in which these votes took place put noted or otherwise included.

Fourth, while we welcomed the inclusion of the number of draft resolutions that failed due to the use of veto, a comparison of the vetoes cast compared to the previous year would enhance the analytical quality of their introduction. Here, similar to my previous point, we support the inclusion of references to the draft resolution numbers in the Introduction as well as the voting records and number of the Co sponsors. Fifth, the section on Worker Methods and the Introduction should reflect working method development during the reporting period. For instance, the unprecedented delay in the appointment of the Chair and Vice Chairs of the Subsidiary Bodies should be noted, as well as the efforts made to have Chairs and Vice Chair appointed, the impact of this situation on the work of various subsidiaries bodies and efforts made to carry out some of the work of the Subsidiary Bodies in the absence of Chairs and Vice Chairs. The Working Methods section could also reflect the work done by the council in 2025 regarding the SG selection process, including the issuance of the Joint Letter.

It would also be useful for the Introduction to give details and analysis on the interaction of the Security Council with other main organs. I thank you

I thank the Distinguished Representative of the United Arab Emirates. I now give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of India.

Madam President and Excellencies, we thank the PGA for convening today's meeting. The UN Charter mandates the consideration of the Security Council Annual Report by the General Assembly. Today's meeting has considerable significance in this backdrop. I wish the penholder of this process all the very best as they embark on this important process. India would like to make the following brief points on this score.

First, India has been reiterating that the Annual Report needs to be more analytical in nature. It should be more than a summary or compilation. The Report also needs to focus on the existing gaps and offer insights on the means to meet the key mandate of the Security Council maintenance of international peace and security. Second, the Annual Report could be made more substantive and detailed. They may include essential details on key pillars of the Security Council, for instance, UN peacekeeping, the absence of finer points pertaining to operational modalities, associated challenges and review of respective mandates, among others, could be included in the report.

Finally, transparency and accountability are critical aspects of this process. These principles may be accorded due priority and complied with at all stages of the process. I thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. The Permanent Representative of India now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Jordan.

Thank you, Mr. President. the outset, we would like to thank you for convening this important session and to express our appreciation to Pakistan for its remarks and continued efforts in this regard. Jordan welcomes the Security Council's annual report while stressing that the report would benefit from deeper analysis and particularly with respect to the use of the veto and its impact on the Council's ability to discharge its responsibilities under the Charter. In this context, we note the challenges the Council continues to face in responding effectively to situations of prolonged conflict that have significant implications for international peace and security. A more analytical assessment of these situations would further enhance transparency and the overall value of the annual reports.

We underscore the importance of strengthening the relationship between the Security Council and the General assembly, including through more substantive reporting that enables the wider membership to engage meaningfully on issues affecting the maintenance of international peace and security. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished President of Jordan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Trinidad and Tobago.

Mr. President, I thank you and I also wish to thank as well the distinguished Permanent Representative of Pakistan for his presentation. Chair A robust report of the United Nations Security Council to Member States must meet high standards of credibility, clarity, accountability and strategic relevance, reflecting the Council's unique mandate under the UN Charter. As such, Trinidad and Tobago remain supportive and committed to a report that bears firstly, legal and mandate clarity, factual accuracy and evidentiary rigor, where the roles on verified multisource information, including the UN Field missions, Secretariat briefings and authorized reports from the subsidiary bodies and avoids speculative language where uncertainty exists and it is explicitly acknowledged. Thirdly Chair Strategic context and analytic depth, where it goes beyond the descriptive reporting to provide strategic analysis of trends, risks and systematic implications for international peace and security. And also it assesses the root causes of and conflict drivers and regional spillover risks.

Fourthly, that of transparency and accountability, including deliberations held both formally and informally and voting outcomes and explanations of vote. Also, Mr. President, we wish for a report that reflects inclusivity and Member State relevance, coherence, structure and readability, consistency and continuity, ensuring internal consistency across sections and alignment with General assembly reporting and finally, credibility through candor, I thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Tobago and Trinidad. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Israel.

Mr. President. In 2025, the Security Council held 50 sessions on Israel. 50.

Iran, a regime racing towards the production of military grade uranium, financing terror across the region and brutally repressing its own people was discussed only eight times. Sudan and South Sudan, facing famine, mass displacement and widespread killing with over an estimated 150,000 dead, were discussed 10 times. The Russian Ukraine war, with a massive death toll and towns destroyed. The triggered just 15 sessions. Israel was discussed more than all of them combined.

That is obsession. To see how this imbalance plays out in real time, we only need to look at the Council's response to Iran. Across Iran, brave people have taken to the streets asking for freedom. The regime answered with arrests, beatings, torture and public executions. According to reports, more than 12,000 people have been killed.

Many more have been injured, detained or have disappeared. Journalists are silenced. Students are targeted. Women and minorities are punished.

Phones and the Internet are shut down to hide what is happening. Yet still, after weeks of delay, the Council convened an emergency session only yesterday. With no resolution and not even a statement. At the session, the Iranian representative had the audacity to blame Israel for the very crimes his own regime is committing. Let me say this directly to the Iranian representative.

Your lies will not divert our eyes from the violence your regime is inflicting on its own people. Mr. President, silence on Iran is not neutrality. It is complicity. The problem here is not only the numbers, it is also the substance of these sessions. The Council has failed to designate Hamas for what it a terrorist organization.

Instead, it has given oxygen to false accusations against the Jewish state, lies of genocide and starvation, modern blood labels. So I asked the Council, why are you so obsessed with us? Israel is doing what we must. We defend our people. It is time to stop.

Stop the obsession with Israel. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Israel.

Since we've come to the last speaker of the Session, I now give the floor to His Excellency Ambassador of Pakistan, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan.

Thank you very much, President.

I know that the office of the President of the General assembly will prepare a summary of this discussion. But I thought it is useful to. Not by way of summarizing, but just to capture some of the important views that have been expressed. Because this was the very purpose of this meeting. And I understand that the value of this discussion is evident from our interactions.

I would like to note that working methods, particularly transparency, accountability and inclusivity, together with this element of interaction with the General assembly and the General membership, it appeared to be overriding priorities as we have listened from colleagues this morning. So we keep that in mind.

It has also been noted that the Annual Report is a key communication channel from the Council to the General Assembly. And while a lot of emphasis has been laid on the need for following the timelines in the preparation of the report and the need for accurate data, very rightly it was said the evidential vigor that needs to be followed. But a lot of comments obviously and understandably have been made with regard to the quality of reporting, the analytical content, key trends. There is a clear desire for key trends to be identified in the introduction, and also the need for closing the feedback loop between the members of the assembly and the Council. So I note in particular that it has been said that the purpose of the report is not just to inform, but to provide insight into the Council's work.

And I also take note what has been said with regard to the value and importance of the monthly assessments as well as the reports of the Subsidiary bodies. And one point almost is common in many of the interventions, and it relates to accountability and the way it is particularly linked with regard to the use of veto.

So that is also something that we keep in mind. The question of sanctions and renewal of sanctions, the need to reflect the regional perspectives, the views of the police in troop contributing countries, all of these are important points that have been highlighted. I also noted with interest, while many of the observations are critical, I think many colleagues have also noted that the achievements of the Council often go unnoticed. So I think in that regard this element of shortcomings versus achievements is also something to be looked into, because we've been asked to see how we can reflect as to what has been achieved and how does that matter?

And I also take note of a particular request in regard to including in the report information on effectiveness of Council's decisions with regard to its peacekeeping, special political missions and sanctions regimes, as well as the Subsidiary bodies, the process of the finalization of the Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Subsidiary bodies.

So I can say that while it's not a very enviable task to reflect all of that in the introduction to the report, but we take it as a challenge and we will try to do our best.

I take as something on going to my side a comment that was made by one of our colleagues that we have to be realistic as to what is possible, but at the same time try our best to make incremental progress. And I can tell you that we will try our best with this. I would like to conclude my little summary of this discussion. And I hand Back to you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Ambassador of Pakistan. I thank members for their participation this morning. The informal meeting of the plenary is now concluded. The meeting is adjourned.