UK Champions Action-Oriented Security Council in Latest UN Statement

The United Kingdom welcomes this annual debate, viewing it as a vital platform for sharing perspectives from both Council members and the broader UN membership. This dialogue provides an opportunity to assess how current Council procedures facilitate the promotion of international peace and security, whilst also exploring areas for potential refinement.

Striving for a Proactive Security Council

Central to the UK’s strategy regarding the working methods of the Security Council is an aspiration for a more action-oriented body. We envision a Council that can foster consensus and achieve compromises through constructive and well-informed discussions. It is imperative that we evaluate the frequency of meetings, ensuring that sufficient time is dedicated to addressing contemporary threats to international peace and security.

Moreover, we must acknowledge the significance of transparency and accountability within our proceedings, while also respecting the principle of confidentiality when necessary. This balance is essential for the effective functioning of the Council.

Guiding Principles for Leadership Selection

As we collectively endeavour to appoint the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, our approach must remain anchored in Article 97 of the UN Charter, as well as the procedures outlined in the joint letter dated 25 November 2025 and General Assembly resolution 79/327. The United Kingdom is committed to evaluating all candidates based on their individual merits. Our primary objective is to identify the most qualified individual to navigate the UN through this critical juncture.

The UK is dedicated to responsible and effective penholding, taking into careful consideration the perspectives of concerned nations and regional stakeholders. This includes the possibility of co-penning documents, a practice we have embraced and offered on numerous occasions.

Encouraging Broader Engagement

We value the engagement of Member States, relevant organisations, and civil society representatives, particularly under rules 37 and 39. Their insights, experiences, and personal narratives significantly enrich our discussions on matters of peace and security.

Lastly, we echo the concerns voiced by our colleagues regarding the prolonged delay in appointing chairs to subsidiary bodies. We are grateful to the Presidencies that have ensured urgent committee business can proceed, but these efforts cannot serve as a permanent solution.

Moving Towards a Resolution

The United Kingdom has proposed a variety of options aimed at breaking the current deadlock and has shown considerable flexibility in our approach. We urge all colleagues to also exhibit flexibility, enabling us to collectively ensure that every subsidiary body of the Security Council is assigned a Chair.

It is crucial that we uphold our collective decisions as articulated in Security Council resolutions, and it is high time to resolve the existing impasse. We look forward to collaborating with both current and incoming Council members to reach a consensus on chair allocations by 2027.