Overview

• Secretary‑General António Guterres said Security Council reform is at the heart of this General Assembly and cited the IGN co‑chairs’ Elements Papers as modest movement in a process long stalled.
• He argued the Council’s 1945‑era makeup undermines legitimacy and effectiveness due to geopolitical paralysis and routine veto use.
• Guterres voiced sympathy for proposals from France and the UK to curb the veto in cases of massive human rights violations.
• He noted growing acknowledgment, including from some permanent members, that Africa should have a permanent seat on the Council.
• Russia’s Dmitry Peskov said reform requires consensus that he deems unattainable for now, affirming a UN‑centric status quo shared by many BRICS and SCO countries, while India continues using the Pact of the Future to press for text‑based talks and a permanent seat.