New York, 21 January 2026
Distinguished Co-Chairs,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Uniting for Consensus (UfC), a pro-reform, cross-regional and diverse group.[1] We look forward to continuing to build on the existing convergences to reach an agreement on a comprehensive proposal that will “garner the widest possible political acceptance by Member States”, in accordance with the mandate of the General Assembly.
We reiterate that all five clusters[2] are intrinsically interconnected: we cannot discuss the veto in a vacuum without debating, for instance, the categories of membership. The process must strictly adhere to the principle that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”. Therefore, we urge that concerted efforts be made to secure common ground among the whole membership on each cluster in the upcoming IGN meetings.
UfC is committed to advancing reform efforts for a Security Council that is truly representative, democratic, accountable, transparent, effective and responsive to evolving global challenges. We need to correct existing imbalances rather than perpetuating or worsening them.
On the first cluster, “categories of membership”, the current structure of the Council, with permanent members wielding the veto, and thus, enjoying a privilege is a legacy of the past and is inconsistent with the principle of equality among States. It is time to be coherent and pragmatic and focus on the expansion of the category of non-permanent elected members – the only category on which there is broad consensus and which is consistent with the principles of democracy, sovereign equality, and accountability.
In a spirit of compromise, UfC has also proposed the creation of longer-term, re-electable seats, with terms ranging from 3 to 5 years to ensure continuous involvement in the Council’s work. Furthermore, the requirement to seek re-election by the UN membership would strengthen accountability and incentivize Council members to act in the collective interest. We remain open to discussing the modalities of this proposal, including the duration of mandates and conditions for re-election, with a view to ensuring equitable representation.
Distinguished Co-Chairs,
The second cluster, the “question of the veto”, remains central. It is fundamental that the General Assembly addresses the use and abuse of the veto, as is one of the causes that prevents the Council from fulfilling its mandate of maintaining international peace and security, constraining the multilateral system. While firmly advocating for the suppression of the veto, we should advance tangible measures in the immediate term to limit its use in specific circumstances, such as in cases of mass atrocities, crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, in line with existing initiatives, including the Franco-Mexican Political Declaration and the ACT code of conduct.
These efforts constitute meaningful steps towards enhancing the effectiveness of the Council, in line with the GA resolution on the revitalization[3]. Moreover, to strengthen its authority, the General Assembly decided to fully implement and adhere to all provisions of the Charter of the United Nations as they relate to the decision-making process, including Article 27(3) of the Charter.
Regarding the third cluster, increasing the participation of underrepresented regions in the Council remains a priority. The core challenge lies in moving beyond a reform model driven by national claims to permanent membership and instead advancing a democratic model in the interests of the international community as a whole, by giving voice to unrepresented and underrepresented regions, which account for the vast majority of UN members. In this regard, we recognize the imperative to address the historical injustice against Africa, by strengthening its presence, as well as that of Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. We remain committed to identifying a solution that duly reflects these aspirations. The General Assembly also agreed to continue discussions on the issue of representation of cross-regional groups, taking into account that SIDS[4], Arab States and others, such as the OIC[5] have been mentioned in IGN discussions.
Distinguished Co-Chairs,
A more functional Council is essential to strengthening multilateral cooperation. In this regard, the fourth cluster on “the size of an enlarged Security Council and its working methods” is crucial. The UfC model proposes an increase of up to a maximum of 27 seats, tackling the imbalance affecting Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
As stressed by UfC and other groups, including ACT[6], working methods play a central role in enabling elected members to contribute meaningfully to the Council’s work. The distribution of responsibilities among members should be more equitable and balanced, allowing for greater participation by the elected ones. It is also essential that the views and interests of States concerned by items on the Council’s agenda be heard and duly taken into account. A reform that results in additional, longer-term elected seats might facilitate this increased engagement.
Finally, regarding the fifth cluster on the “Relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly”, reform must strengthen coordination and complementarity. To guarantee greater accountability and to promote responsibility in the Council’s decision-making, the two organs must work in harmony, complementing and reinforcing each other’s respective mandates. We also advocate for closer cooperation with the Peacebuilding Commission, as well as more consistent engagement with multilateral and regional partners, such as the African Union’s Peace and Security Council.
Distinguished Co-Chairs,
In conclusion, I wish to underline that UfC will continue to engage constructively, with a flexible approach, aiming to achieve a comprehensive reform that benefits all, rather than a select few. The times demand it, the global community requires it. And the responsibility lies with us to achieve it. To succeed, this progress must be driven by convergences. Until those have not materialized, it would be premature to move towards a consolidated reform model or text-based negotiations.
UfC remains fully committed to working constructively with all Members and negotiating groups, and to advocating for a reform process that is inclusive, balanced and reflective of our shared aspiration for a Security Council that truly serves the global community through enhancing regional representation.
I thank you.
[1] Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Malta, Mexico, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Spain and Türkiye.
[2] Under decision 62/557 of the General Assembly.
[3] General Assembly Resolution on the revitalisation of the work of the General Assembly 79/327.
[4] Small Island Developing States.
[5] Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
[6] “Accountability, Coherence and Transparency” (ACT) Group.
