AFRICAN GROUP STATEMENT ON FIRST PLENARY MEETING ON THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATIONS

  Delivered by

H.E. Ambassador Kalilu Ibrahim Totangi, Deputy Permanent Representative

and Charge D'affaires of Sierra Leone to the United Nations

21st January 2026

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Member States (the African Group).

2. I thank you, Distinguished Co-Chairs, for convening this first plenary meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) this session (UNGA-80).

3. We take note of your letter dated 13 January 2026, providing the timeline of the first IGN meeting and guidance on the IGN discussions focusing on views on Latin America and Asia-Pacific representation on the Council, as well as on cross-regional representation.

4. We also thank you for convening the first informal discussion (“Taxel Talks”) on 10 December 2025.

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

5. In our effort to breathe new life into the IGN discussions, we must focus on what can be accomplished in practical terms this session, building on the consensus outline in the Pact for the Future, while narrowing the differences in positions, perspectives and views among Member States and interest groups, in order to maintain the political momentum and political will.

6. In the Pact, our Heads of State and Government have committed in Action 39 to:

“Reform the Security Council, recognizing the urgent need to make it more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic and accountable... [and] (a) Redress the historical injustice against Africa as a priority and, while treating Africa as a special case, improve the representation of the underrepresented and unrepresented regions and groups, such as Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean”.

This commitment has to be given effect to.

7. The above commitment is against the backdrop of the undeniable fact that the proportional representation of Member States in the Security Council has diminished significantly as the overall membership of the United Nations has expanded since the last reform in 1965. When the United Nations was founded in 1945, Africa was largely unrepresented. At that time, the Organization comprised only 51 Member States, and the Security Council had 11 members. This imbalance persisted for two decades, even as UN membership grew rapidly.

8. It was only in 1965, following the amendment of Article 23 of the Charter, that the Council was expanded to 15 members, at a time when the Organization already had more than 100 Member States. Despite the continued growth of the United Nations to 193 Member States, this proportional imbalance remains unaddressed, underscoring the urgent need for reform to ensure fair and equitable representation for all Member States in this vital organ, including countries from Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.

9. Africa’s position is, therefore, that the composition of the Security Council must be democratized to reflect the diversity, realities, and contemporary membership of the United Nations. Our position also remains firmly anchored in the Common African Position, as articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, which constitute Africa’s single, united, and non-negotiable framework for reform.

10. With regard to regional representation, Africa emphasizes that equitable geographical balance must remain the cornerstone of any reform outcome. Africa is - 4 - one of the largest regions by size, population, and UN membership, and the African Union continues to play an increasingly significant role in the maintenance of international peace and security. Africa-related situations also remain central to the work of the Security Council. These realities reinforce Africa’s legitimate demand for fair and equitable geographical representation in a reformed Council, consistent with the principles, objectives, and ideals of the United Nations Charter, including universalism, equity, and regional balance within the UN system.

11. This call for enhanced regional representation aligns closely with Africa’s demand for expansion of the Security Council in both the Permanent and Non-permanent categories of membership, as well as with the imperative to address the question of the veto. Africa maintains that, as long as the veto exists, it must be extended to all new permanent members as a matter of equity and fairness, while reaffirming its principled position that the veto is an undemocratic instrument that should ultimately be abolished.

12. This model for reform is not just a matter of fairness; it serves to rectify the current structural imbalance in the Council's representation. In this regard, Africa continues to reject proposals for longer-term or intermediate seats, as these do not adequately address the vital concerns and aspirations outlined in the Common African Position.

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

13. On the issue of cross-regional representation, Africa’s point of departure from the Common African Position and within the IGN framework is the reaffirmation that equitable geographical representation remains the primary basis for reform. Africa, however, recognizes that, in appropriate circumstances, cross-regional representation may contribute to the broader objective of ensuring a more representative and inclusive Security Council.

14. In the above regard, Africa looks forward to engaging constructively and hearing the views of Member States and interest groups on how such arrangements, if contemplated, could complement rather than undermine the principle of regional representation.

15. In closing, Distinguished Co-Chairs, permit me to reiterate the African Group’s profound gratitude to Member States and interest groups for their continual support for the Common African Position. The Group looks forward to an increased pace of more frank discussions with all Member States in an open, transparent, inclusive, membership-driven process to achieve progress that will lead to the ultimate realisation of making the Security Council more broadly representative, democratic, effective, and transparent, to enhance the legitimacy of its decisions.

16. We intend to present the African Group Model of reform during this session after endorsement by the AU Assembly. We therefore encourage all Member States and interest groups to participate constructively, transparently, fully, and actively during this session.

17. I thank you.