Press Briefing on the reform of the Security Council

Good afternoon and thank you for joining today’s briefing. 

As Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform, I am pleased to provide an update on the progress made during the current session and highlight recent developments that continue to shape and advance this critical process. 

The Pact for the Future has reaffirmed the centrality of a reformed Security Council to strengthening multilateralism and restoring trust in global governance. Notably, the Pact includes the most progressive and concrete commitment to Security Council reform since the 1960s. It aims to enhance the Council’s effectiveness and representativeness, with a particular emphasis on addressing the historical injustice against Africa. 

The section on Security Council reform within the Pact outlines three key Actions:

1. The first Action addresses areas of convergence and core parameters for reform—such as improving the representation of underrepresented and unrepresented regions and groups, including Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It also calls for intensified efforts to find agreement on the issue of categories of membership.
2. The second Action focuses on the IGN process itself, encouraging the submission of additional models with a view toward developing a consolidated model in the future.
3. The third Action proposes interim, concrete measures to enhance the Council’s capacity to maintain international peace and security in the meantime, including the full implementation and adherence of Article 27(3) and all provisions of the UN Charter as they relate to decision-making process in the Council

We are encouraged by the momentum shown by Member States in this session. Liechtenstein has submitted a revised model, showing flexibility and openness to refining proposals in light of ongoing dialogue. Additionally, CARICOM has submitted a model that will be presented and discussed at our next IGN meetings on 28 and 29 May. These contributions help enrich our discussions and bring us closer to areas of convergence. 

I encourage all Member States and negotiating groups to put forward new proposals or updates to existing ones. The spirit of reform requires both courage and creativity, and the active engagement of all delegations remains essential as we work to find consensus on core elements of Security Council reform. 

In parallel, the IGN has seen the implementation of new practical tools to improve transparency and accessibility. The webcasting of IGN meetings, which began during the 77th Session, continues to expand access to our work—enabling not only Member States, but also academics and civil society to engage more deeply with the process. Moreover, the online repository has become an important resource, supporting Member States' preparation and fostering more informed, substantive discussions. 

These procedural improvements are not minor—they are a direct response to longstanding calls for increased openness and reflect our collective commitment to moving the negotiations forward in a more inclusive and structured manner. 

On the bilateral level, I recently had the opportunity to visit Tokyo, where I held productive discussions with senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including with H.E. Takeshi Iwaya, Minister for Foreign Affairs. Japan’s steadfast support for multilateralism and Security Council reform was reaffirmed, and I appreciated their ongoing commitment to an inclusive, Member State-driven process. I look forward to continuing similar discussions in other capitals this year.  

In closing, while the road to reform is undeniably complex, we are taking steady and meaningful steps forward. With continued constructive engagement, growing convergence around principles of transparency, inclusivity, and accountability, and the momentum generated by the Pact for the Future, I remain hopeful that this session can lay the groundwork for real and lasting progress.

Let us remember aside from an increase in the number elected members in 1965, the first iteration of the Security Council has lasted over 80 years. Whatever formulation the reformed Council takes, it must be designed to endure for the next century—anchored in the principles of inclusivity, transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, democracy, and accountability.

Thank you.

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