17 November 2022

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Forty-three years have passed since the question of Security Council reform first appeared in the General Assembly agenda.

It has been 17 years since world leaders expressed their support for the so-called “early reform” of the Council, calling it an essential element of the overall effort to reform the United Nations.

And it has been 13 years since the Assembly launched the intergovernmental negotiations process.

This year, we approach Security Council reform with new attention – facing a set of interlocking crises that have placed the entire multilateral system under pressure.

Countries are struggling due to conflicts and wars, climate change, food, water and energy crises, unsustainable debts and health emergencies.

The war in Ukraine, now in its ninth month, has only amplified these effects, displacing millions and forcing countries to make unprecedented choices to meet the needs of their citizens.

Through it all, the Security Council – the main guarantor of international peace and security – has remained blocked, unable to fully carry out its mandate.

Growing numbers are now demanding its reform.

During High-Level Week, one-third of world leaders underscored the urgent need to reform the Council – more than double the number in 2021. They are looking to the General Assembly to lead on change.

We should admit that this is about the credibility and the relevance of the United Nations.

A choice is at hand: does the Assembly continue its annual repetition of well-known positions – or, moved by these crises, does it swing into action to find common ground and achieve breakthroughs?

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen: You simply must answer this call.

The General Assembly is, quite literally, the only UN body with a mandate to seek a solution to the question of Security Council reform.

I count on you, the Member States, to drive the transformation now urgently needed.

The ancient philosopher Lao Tzu – who is said to have lived in an era of warfare and reform – has an apt saying:

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Today, I ask the Assembly to take its collective step.

To start from a position of “yes”.

To listen to each other.

To build on shared interests.

To find areas of commonalities.

I have held several meetings with Member States to hear your views on the way forward.

I have heard your desire to achieve solutions.

I have appointed the Permanent Representative of Slovakia and the Permanent Representative of Kuwait as co-chairs of the intergovernmental negotiation process.

I thank them for accepting their important responsibility.

I have complete confidence in them and their intention to understand the views of Member States and steer these negotiations in good faith, and with mutual respect.

I ask all of you to offer them full support.

As you embark, I also encourage you to engage on the critical questions of our day.

How can we ensure the process goes ahead “in an open, inclusive and transparent manner”?

Are Member States ready to seek practical solutions on the reform of the Council?

What do you envision as the outcome this session?

Our meeting today is webcasted and recorded. Would you like to proceed the same way during the forthcoming rounds of negotiations?

One of the principles applied to the IGN during recent years was that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”.

Would you like to follow the same principle or prefer another methodology?

The 2008 decision provides possibilities for Member States to negotiate.

The objective is to find solutions. In a transparent manner. Along a well designed process.

It is up to you to decide whether or how to use the available techniques. In turn, you can count on me to provide all support to the co-chairs and

Member States in an impartial, objective and open-minded manner. Excellencies,

It was also Lao Tzu who said: “Perseverance is a sign of willpower.” Let us persevere.

Let’s break free of entrenched positions.

Let’s go beyond the calculations of distrust and rivalry. Let’s focus on the common good.

I thank you.