United Nations General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman has said he intends to take a leading role in advancing the reform process of the UN Security Council. He has described meaningful reform as a serious priority during his presidency of the 81st General Assembly session.Key HighlightsUNGA President Khalilur Rahman has backed meaningful UNSC reform.He said he would take the reform process “very, very seriously.”The reform discussions are conducted through the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN).Rahman will appoint facilitators for the negotiations.He has called for a UN system that reflects current global realities.Security Council reform remains focused on issues including equitable representation and expanding Council membership.Why Is Khalilur Rahman Focusing on UNSC Reform?Rahman has argued that the United Nations needs deeper institutional reform to remain relevant to today's global challenges. He said the current structure was created in a very different international environment and needs to reflect changes that have taken place since 1945.The UN Security Council currently has 15 members, including five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members. Reform discussions include questions around equitable geographical representation and whether the Council's membership should be expanded.What Did the UNGA President Say About the Reform Process?Rahman said he takes his role in facilitating Security Council reform seriously. As part of the process, he is expected to appoint facilitators for the Intergovernmental Negotiations, the established forum through which UN member states discuss Security Council reform.He has also placed dialogue and cooperation among the main priorities of his year-long presidency. At a media briefing earlier this month, he said global multilateralism was facing significant challenges and stressed the importance of finding common ground among member states.What Is the UNSC Reform Process?The UN Security Council reform process is conducted through Intergovernmental Negotiations in the General Assembly.The discussions cover issues including equitable representation, increasing the Council's membership and other matters related to its structure and working methods. The General Assembly has reaffirmed the central role of the Assembly in these discussions.Why Is Security Council Reform Being Discussed?Calls for Security Council reform have continued for decades as the international system has changed significantly since the UN was founded.During the opening of the 81st UNGA session, Rahman highlighted the need for greater representation, including for Africa, which does not currently have a permanent seat on the Security Council. He said broader structural reform would be necessary to strengthen confidence in the UN.The G4 countries — India, Brazil, Germany and Japan — also reiterated their support for Security Council reform during the 81st UNGA session. Their foreign ministers said reform was increasingly necessary amid the changing geopolitical environment.What Happens Next?The next stage will involve continuing the Intergovernmental Negotiations and consultations among UN member states. The facilitators appointed by the UNGA president will have a role in helping advance discussions.Any changes to the Security Council's membership or structure would ultimately require broad agreement among UN member states and follow the established UN process.
