General Assembly: Intergovernmental negotiations on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Council - Informal meeting of the plenary, 80th session (Continued) General Assembly Date: 21 January 2026 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/en/asset/k1y/k1y1kofa58 Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- Co-Chair [0:02]: Good afternoon, colleagues. I call to order the 2nd informal meeting of the plenary on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Council. We continue the list of speakers remaining from our first meeting this morning. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ireland. Ireland [0:34]: Co-chairs, Ireland welcomes this timely opportunity to discuss the 5 clusters of Security Council reform. At the outset, I would like to congratulate Ambassador Gregoire van Haren on your appointment as co-chair of the IGN for this 80th session alongside Ambassador Albani. There is an urgent need, more urgent than ever, to make genuine progress on reform of the Security Council. The body with primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, but which has unfortunately proved ineffectual at stemming growing levels of conflict and instability. Urgent reform must not only address the Council's inability to act in the face of threats to international peace and security, but also its overall effectiveness. The Council must evolve towards a fairer and more equitable body. Co-chairs, allow me to briefly restate Ireland's longstanding positions. We stand ready to work with all partners to advance the goal of a more effective, representative, and accountable Security Council, and we remain open to considering any initiative that supports the realization of this objective. Ireland believes that the use of the veto should be abolished, not expanded. At a minimum, Ireland believes the Permanent 5 should support the French-Mexican initiative to suspend veto powers in cases of atrocity crimes. Reform must address the unjust underrepresentation of Africa and other underrepresented regions on the Council, while also safeguarding the right of small states, including Small Island Developing States, to serve on the Council. On regional representation, Ireland would support any mechanism that garners sufficient support amongst the cross-regional groups concerning their own nominations and rotations for Council membership. With regard to the relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly, we underline the importance of strengthening accountability. Similarly, the Council's interactions with other UN bodies, such as ECOSOC and the Peacebuilding Commission, must be reinforced. There must be greater transparency and greater inclusivity in the work of the Council, including through meaningful opportunities for civil society briefers and non-Council members to participate, and through equitable sharing of penholderships. Council visits and an awareness of the impact of Council decisions on the ground must be the norm, not the exception. Co-chairs, Ireland remains committed to a reform process that is inclusive, text-based, and member-state-driven. Now is the time to come together on one consolidated model as a basis for text-based negotiations on each of the clusters of reform. We stand ready to engage constructively in this process. I thank you. Co-Chair [3:06]: I thank the distinguished representative of Ireland for his statement. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Greece. Greece [3:15]: Co-chairs, at the outset I wish to congratulate you on your appointment as co-chairs of the intergovernmental negotiations. You assume this responsibility at a moment when the credibility and effectiveness of the United Nations, and in particular of the Security Council, are under increasing scrutiny. Greece firmly believes that ensuring a credible, effective, transparent, and democratic Security Council is not merely an institutional aspiration, but a political imperative. A Council that does not adequately reflect today's realities, nor consistently deliver on its responsibilities under the Charter, risks— excuse me— risks eroding trust in multilateralism itself. On the process, General Assembly Decision 62557 and Action 39 of the Pact for the Future provide a clear framework for our work. Greece supports the continuation of structured and substantive discussions on concrete reform models as an important means to advance convergence. On the substance, Greece stands ready to support any reform model that is fair, balanced, and capable of achieving the broadest possible consensus with the objective of strengthening the United Nations as a whole. As agreed in the Pact for the Future, the overall size of an enlarged Council should strike a careful balance between representativeness and effectiveness. On regional representation, Greece reiterates that redressing the historical injustice against Africa must remain a priority. At the same time, we recognize that Latin America and the Caribbean and the Asia-Pacific region remain underrepresented. Improving representation for these regions would enhance the legitimacy and credibility of an enlarged Council. In this context, Greece is open to considering cross-regional representation, where broadly supported, as a complementary option that enhances inclusiveness and balance while preserving effectiveness and consensus. Finally, the use and even the threat of the veto has too often undermined the ability of the Security Council to act effectively and in a timely manner. Greece believes that the veto carries a special responsibility and that its exercise should be exceptionally restrained and fully consistent with the purposes and principles of the Charter. In this regard, we recall— we call for full respect of Article 27, paragraph 3 of the Charter and support initiatives aimed at voluntary restraint and enhanced accountability in the use of the veto, including the ACT Code of Conduct, the France-Mexico Initiative, and General Assembly Resolution 76262. In conclusion, Greece remains fully committed to a meaningful and results-oriented reform of the Security Council and stands ready to work constructively with all delegations under your guidance. I thank you. Co-Chair [6:32]: I thank the distinguished representative of Greece for her statement, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Micronesia. Micronesia (Federated States of) [6:42]: Thank you, co-chairs. My delegation aligns with the statement delivered by the distinguished representative of Saint Lucia on behalf of the L69 Group and would like to convey our strong support for the ongoing discussions surrounding Security Council reform. Co-chairs, we continue to stress the importance of the intergovernmental negotiations even though the process has been long and difficult. Every year we share our views and concerns, hoping for real progress. Although progress remains slower than desired, It is still essential to persist in efforts to reform the Security Council so that it reflects today's realities and more effectively serves all member states. Co-chairs, my delegation is pleased to contribute its perspectives on the representation of Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region on the Security Council, as well as on cross-regional representation. It is our firm view that any reformed Council must be more representative, transparent, and accountable if it is to preserve its legitimacy and effectively respond to contemporary peace and security challenges. With respect to Latin America and the Caribbean and to Asia-Pacific, current membership no longer reflects contemporary political, demographic, and economic realities. These regions comprise a large share of the United Nations membership and population, yet their presence on the Council, particularly in the permanent category, remains limited. A credible reform outcome should therefore include an increase in seats for both regions and must include Brazil, India, Germany, and Japan to be permanent members on a reformed Security Council. An enhanced cross-regional representation is essential to ensure that all groups of states, including Small Island Developing States and other vulnerable countries, are better reflected in the Council's work. A dedicated and elected seat for SIDS must be provided at the table. We also support a reform process that makes sure all member states especially those most affected by the Council's decisions, are heard. This means not only expanding membership, but also making decision-making more open and inclusive so every region is fairly represented. Finally, my delegation reiterates that progress on regional and cross-regional representation should be captured in a more structured, text-based manner in line with the convergences that have emerged over successive IGN cycles. Micronesia stands ready to engage constructively with all delegations to achieve a balanced, inclusive reform that responds to the legitimate aspirations of Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and other underrepresented regions, while reinforcing the overall legitimacy and effectiveness of the Security Council. Thank you. Co-Chair [9:52]: I thank the distinguished representative of Thank you very much, Micronesia. And I give the floor to the distinguished representative of El Salvador. El Salvador [10:02]: Thank you very much, Co-Chair. El Salvador would like to thank you for convening this meeting on the reform of the Security Council. We'd like to thank you for your leadership at the helm of this process. For El Salvador, the reform of the Security Council is a moral and political imperative. The lack of concrete progress doesn't just affect the Council's credibility but also the legitimacy of the entire multilateral system. From the point of view of a state that was a founding member of the organization, this situation highlights an increasingly unacceptable situation between what we say and the reality that we face. In terms of the substantive pillars we're discussing, believe that a genuinely representative council requires broadening the number of elected members. This change would make it possible better to reflect the current composition of the United Nations and to strengthen the council's legitimacy through a diversity of views. It is particularly urgent to correct the underrepresentation of certain regions including our own, Africa, and Asia Pacific who have shown their unwavering commitment to peace. We also believe that elected members have contributed significantly to building consensus and to strengthening multilateralism. That is why increasing their number and ensuring their equitable rotation is a realistic way to make the Council more inclusive and functional. On inter-regional representation, we are open to continue to looking at mechanisms that without perpetrating Privileges would have— would bring about a more equitable distribution of roles. Any proposal in this regard must be guided by the principles of equity, rotation, and balanced representation of developing countries. We are deeply concerned about the disproportionate use of the veto, which has hindered the Council's response to urgent crises and eroded the legitimacy of the Council's decisions. We fully support initiatives to restrict the use of the veto, particularly in contexts of mass atrocities, as was reflected in the declaration brought forward by France and Mexico and the ACT Group's initiative. We also stress the importance of improving the Council's methods of work and strengthening its interaction with the General Assembly. To ensure greater transparency, accountability, and the effective participation of all member states. We support the full implementation of Article 27.3 of the Charter in line with what the General Assembly has recently called for in the relevant resolution and better coordination also with the Peacebuilding Commission. Co-chair, to conclude, we reaffirm El Salvador's commitment to this process And we reiterate that indefinitely postponing this reform would ultimately normalize paralysis and the selective interpretation of international law. And the cost is not abstract. It erodes multilateralism as an effective means of upholding international peace and security. That is why you have El Salvador's full support to achieve a reform that revitalizes multilateralism. strengthens the authority of the organization and responds effectively to the challenges of our time. I thank you. Co-Chair [13:36]: I thank the distinguished representative of El Salvador for her statement, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste [13:50]: Co-chair, Excellencies, and distinguished delegates, at the outset, Timor-Leste congratulates the co-chairs on appointment to guide this critical process. We are confident that this session of the intergovernmental negotiation under your leadership can foster constructive engagement and deliver tangible progress towards long overdue reform. While our delegation aligned itself with the statement delivered by Saint Lucia on behalf of the L69 Group, we wish to highlight a few points in our national capacity. The Security Council's paralysis in addressing major conflicts over the years has intensified concerns about the fragility of its legitimacy. For years, the IGN process has pursued this imperative for reform. That mandate now must translate into concrete steps if the Council is to genuinely enhance its credibility and relevance in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Co-chairs, the Council structure, rooted in the post-war order, continues to perpetuate profound imbalances, most notably Africa's underrepresentation and the marginalization of Small Island Development States, whose unique vulnerabilities warrant special consideration. The continued exclusion of key regions from permanent membership further limits the Council's capacity to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. In the face of these challenges, Timor-Leste underscored these priorities. First, we echo the call of the L69 Group for an expanded Security Council, with seats allocated on the basis of equitable geographic representation. Including increased representation for Africa, Asia-Pacific, CARICOM, WEOG, EEG, and a dedicated seat for SEEDS, as articulated in detail earlier today by the distinguished Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia. Second, we call for strengthened accountability through improved working methods, including greater transparency and enhanced engagement with the General Assembly. Third, we underlined the need for text-based discussion in order to further expedite this process. Co-chairs, Timor-Leste stands ready to engage constructively, in good faith, with all Member States to help deliver a more representative, effective and accountable Security Council, one that is fit for purpose and responsive to the realities and challenges of the 21st century. Thank you. Co-Chair [16:37]: I thank the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste for his statement, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Liberia. Liberia [16:45]: Thank you. Distinguished co-chairs, the delegation of the Republic of Liberia aligns itself with the statement Delivered on behalf of the African group, and has the honor to make the following remarks in its national capacity. Liberia welcomes the General Assembly's decision to continue the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform during the informal plenary of the Assembly. At its 80th session, in line with the mandate established by GA Decision 62557 and subsequent decisions, including Decision 78561. The inclusion of this item on the agenda underscores the collective determination to advance this long overdue reform. Co-chairs, Liberia notes that the current phase of negotiations builds on the work of the 79th session, including the chair's letter of 2nd July 2025. The revised co-chairs Elements, Paper of 3 July 2005, Resolution 791, and earlier text proposals and models. These remain essential reference points for guiding the future of the work of the negotiations. Distinguished Co-Chairs, Liberia reiterates its firm commitment to the comprehensive Security Council reform that reflects contemporary geopolitical realities and addresses historical injustices. Nearly 80 years after the United Nations establishment, the Council's composition and working methods remain largely unchanged, undermining its legitimacy, representativeness, and effectiveness, particularly for developing countries. Africa remains the only region without permanent representation on the Security Council, despite its centrality to the Council's agenda and its significant contributions to peacekeeping and international peace and security. This persistent exclusion constitutes a profound historical injustice that must be urgently addressed. In this regard, Liberia reaffirms its full support for the Africa Common Position as articulated in the Ezio Winnie Consensus and the SADC Declaration, calling for at least 2 permanent seats and 5 non-permanent seats for Africa, with permanent members enjoying all prerogatives, including the veto, for as long as it lasts. Liberia underscores that equitable geographical representation cannot be achieved without addressing the veto. Any reform that retains this instrument must ensure its equitable extension to new permanent members, particularly Africa, to avoid perpetuating existing imbalances. Distinguished co-chairs, Liberia welcomes the effort of the President of the General Assembly and the co-chairs in advancing the process of encouraging continued submission and revision of models to support structured text-based negotiations. While initiatives to enhance transparency in the use of the veto are welcome, they cannot substitute for comprehensive reform or remedy Africa's historical marginalization. Finally, co-chairs, Liberia stresses the need to improve the Security Council's working methods and urges the intergovernmental negotiations to move beyond repetitive exchanges toward genuine, inclusive, and transparent text-based negotiations. Liberia remains committed to working with all member states to achieve a balanced, just, and credible reform of the Security Council in line with the UN Charter. Thank you. Co-Chair [21:33]: I thank the distinguished representative of Liberia for her statement. We have 5 more speakers— no, yeah, 5 more speakers on the list. I kindly remind member states to try to stick to the suggested timeline. in their statements. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Australia. Australia [21:55]: Thank you, Co-Chairs, for convening this plenary and for bringing Member States together to advance discussions across the clusters of Security Council reform. Australia remains firmly committed to meaningful and practical reform to strengthen the UN's effectiveness, transparency, and accountability. Security Council reform must form a part of these efforts. To ensure it can fulfill its responsibilities in a rapidly evolving global landscape. This includes meaningful reform to enhance the Council's regional and cross-regional representation. Australia remains open to models that expand membership and enhance representation in ways that make the Council more reflective of today's global realities. Australia supports greater representation on the Council for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Asia-Pacific alongside Africa. We acknowledge the different models put forward by member states and welcome continued discussion on a way forward that can achieve broad support among our membership. Australia also supports exploration of ways to enhance cross-regional representation on the Council for small island developing states, who bring vital firsthand perspectives on peace and security challenges. For example, representation could include a dedicated rotational seat as put forward by CARICOM and the Uniting for consensus group, or a longer-term re-electable seat as put forward by Liechtenstein. We recognize, however, that cross-regional groupings can overlap and evolve over time, and proposals merit careful consideration during the intergovernmental negotiations. We need a Security Council that is best equipped to maintain international peace and security today and into the future. As always, Australia stands ready to work on pragmatic ideas and proposals for a more representative, effective, and and accountable Security Council. Thank you. Co-Chair [23:38]: I thank the distinguished representative of Australia for her statement. I'd like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ecuador. Ecuador [23:52]: Co-chairs, thank you for convening this first meeting of 2026, and I'm pleased to take the floor after other colleagues who have expressed their trust in your leadership to steer this process. Making headway in this process is an absolute necessity to strengthen the Council's legitimacy, representativeness, and effectiveness. We therefore need to show collective political will and constructive spirit. In your letter dated the 13th of January, co-chairs, you invited us to focus initially on specific aspects of the reform And that's what I'm focusing on here. Ecuador's position throughout this process has been based on a principle of an ethical model of democracy tailored to the realities of today's world, which lead the council to be more equal with fewer vetoes, with more respect for the principles of equality, and with more responsibility and fewer privileges in perpetuity. For states. In other words, for more democracy, not less. Ecuador has said that having 10 additional members would therefore be optimal and there is a need to increase the number of Gulag places from 2 to 4 and Africa should have 6 seats. We are in favor of greater representation in some of small island developing states as well. We think it's important to listen to new ideas that have developed during this process. We're ready to consider alternatives including longer mandates for non-permanent members provided that these options do not create new categories of privilege. Although we have seen that there is common ground agreement on some elements, there are also significant disagreements on some substantive issues. Rather than focus on the kind of format to continue deliberations, we believe that we should focus our efforts on the elements that still— on which there are still different opinions so that we can try and reduce them and iron them out as far as possible. We are committed to reforming the Council so as to strengthen its legitimacy, increase its representativeness, and strengthen members' trust in the multilateral system. Thank you. Co-Chair [26:25]: I thank the distinguished representative of Ecuador for his statement. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Angola. Angola [26:39]: Distinguished co-chairs, thank you for convening this meeting. Angola aligns itself with the statement delivered by Sierra Leone on behalf of the African Group. In the last few years, we have witnessed the Security Council's inability to live up to its responsibility to maintain international peace and security. Therefore, reforming the Security Council is today an absolute imperative. The IGN has made limited progress despite the call by most of the UN member states to start text-based negotiations. The reality is that Africa remains the only continent with no permanent seat in the Security Council. The correction of this unjustified historic injustice is long overdue. There is a growing consensus among UN member states that Africa's claim to have a permanent seat in the reformed Security Council is fair and legitimate. This increasing agreement must be met with practical action, not only words. African grievances deserve special attention and should be treated as a special case. The common African position espoused in— through the Isilwini Consensus and the Silti Declaration call for allocation of 5 non-permanent seats and 2 permanent member seats to Africa, with the attendant prerogative including the right to veto as long as it exists. Angola recognizes the legitimacy of other regions to be adequately and appropriately represented in the Security Council. Including Latin America and Caribbean and Asia-Pacific. Reform must be comprehensive, inclusive, and consider non-represented and underrepresented regions. On cross-regional groups, we are of the view that the principle of equitable geographical representation should continue to guide this process while we remain open to explore other viable options. In closing, Mr. Co-Chairs, Angola expects that the IGN this year guide member states to discuss— to take decisive action toward areas of agreement and close the gaps on non-consensual matters to achieve genuine reform of the Security Council commensurate with the current multipolar world order. Thank you. Co-Chair [28:57]: I thank the distinguished representative of Angola for his statement. I now first congratulate Senegal on the African Cup win and then offer him the floor. Senegal [29:10]: Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Chair. Excellencies, colleagues, the delegation of Senegal would like to thank you for these warm words and congratulate Morocco on the great organization of that event. We also would like I would like to congratulate and thank Ms. Liz Gouaglan-Allen, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Netherlands and chairing the IGN, and our best wishes to Ms. Tara Galbani, who is a co-chair of the IGN. During this first informal meeting in which we are to express our views on the participation of Asia Pacific and Latin America, We align ourselves with what was said by the African group, and I would like to make the following comments in national capacity. First of all, we continue pleading for the expansion in both categories for the benefit of absent or underrepresented groups. We are trying to make sure that the Council is more representative, more democratic, and more in line with the spirit and the letter of the Charter. The Pact of the Future is also referring to the expansion of the Security Council to make sure that it's more representative of the UN and reflects the world of today. And therefore, to answer your question, we would like to say that we are in favor of greater representation of groups which are underrepresented or non-represented, the groups that we're discussing today. And this means that historic injustice to Africa needs to be rectified. We are not a member of permanent members and we are underrepresented amongst the elected members, and this is a priority. And this needs to be done through giving 2 permanent seats and 5 non-permanent Seats in line with the Ezilwini Convention and the Sirt Declaration. As regards the cross-regional representation, well, we need to continue discussing in order to see how this can be expressed through regional groups. I thank you. Co-Chair [31:36]: I thank the distinguished representative of Senegal for his statement. واعطي الكلمة الآن إلى ممثلة I now give the floor to the representative of the United Arab Emirates. You have the floor. United Arab Emirates [31:51]: Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the United Arab Emirates aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Kingdom of Bahrain on behalf of the Arab Group. I once again congratulate Ambassador Albannai on his reappointment and Ambassador Gregoire van Haaren on her appointment as co-chair to advance this important member-state-led process. We welcome today's opportunity to focus on regional representation with regard to the Asia-Pacific and Latin America and Caribbean regions, as well as a focus on cross-regional representation. The membership of the United Nations has evolved significantly since the Council's first and only expansion in 1965. Yet this increase in the number of members was not reflected in the representation of members on the Council despite the global conflict map expanding, yet underscoring the need for broader and more inclusive representation on the Council, particularly from the Global South. This This is evident in the Asia-Pacific region, which remains glaringly underrepresented if we think of both the size of its membership and the number of consequential agenda items concerning the region. Since 1965, the Asia-Pacific Group has experienced a significant increase of— in its membership from 26 to 54 states. There is also a clear need to enhance the representation of Latin America and the Caribbean region, whose membership from 1965 to present has increased from by 50% from 22 to 33 states. One cannot discuss regional representation without taking into consideration the legitimate aspirations. Of Africa, as articulated in the Iswilini Consensus and the Third Declaration. With regard to cross-regional representation, there is a compelling case for increased Arab representation on the Council grounded in clear and enduring realities. The considerations that led to the necessity of the Arab rotating seat in 1967 to ensure a minimum Arab representation on the Council These considerations still exist today. As the proportion of the Security Council's agenda devoted to Arab-related situations has remained consistently high, members of the Arab Group has demonstrated a strong record of substantial contributions to international peace and security. Arab representation on the Council also remains the only established example of cross-regional representation, an arrangement which must be returned And enhanced in a reformed council. In conclusion, as we embark on another session of intergovernmental negotiations, we hope that we'll come closer to our shared goal of a reformed, more representative, and more effective security council. Thank you. Co-Chair [35:06]: أشكر أختي من. I thank my sister from United Arab Emirates for her statement. Colleagues, we have heard the last. Speaker 24 [35:15]: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Co-Chair [35:17]: I would like to thank all delegations for their contributions, and since the meeting will continue in closed format, the webcast will cease streaming. If you give me a minute before we make sure it has ceased.