The “Uniting for Consensus” Group (UfC) – consisting of Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Malta, Mexico, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Spain, Türkiye – met today, 24 September 2026, on the occasion of the High-level Week of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, to reaffirm its unwavering commitment to the reform of the Security Council and to take stock of the latest developments in the IGN process, which remains the sole legitimate, inclusive Member States-driven platform to hold discussions on Security Council Reform.
Our common goal is to work towards a Council that is more representative, democratic, transparent, accountable, effective and responsive to today’s global challenges. UfC is fully committed to a comprehensive reform that reflects the interests and aspirations of the entire UN membership.
We firmly believe that expanding the category of elected members, including through longer-term rotating seats, will contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security, while preserving the principle of sovereign equality. Such an expansion would be the most equitable and democratic way to address Africa’s historical underrepresentation, as well as that of other underrepresented regions, including Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean. UfC reiterates its opposition to the creation of new permanent seats.
We also recognize the importance of addressing the aspirations of cross-regional groups. The General Assembly recently agreed to continue discussions on the issue of representation of cross-regional groups, taking into account that Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Arab States and others, such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, have been mentioned in IGN discussions.
We appreciate the work of the Co-Chairs to foster a productive dialogue and the developments achieved during the 80th session, which contributed to constructive and transparent discussions on the Reform and was enriched by the analysis of concrete models, such as the model presented by the African Union. We support the Co-Chairs’ mandate and in view of the resumption of the IGN, we renew the appeal to all Member States to engage in a more flexible and constructive manner.
UfC reaffirms the IGN, in accordance with General Assembly Decision 62/557, as the framework for advancing a comprehensive reform of the Security Council. The path forward must be based on dialogue, flexibility and compromise, addressing the five interlinked clusters in a comprehensive manner and seeking the widest possible political acceptance. UfC stands ready to build on areas of convergence and advocates for the broadest participation in the IGN of Member States, with a view to reaching a consensus on a comprehensive reform.
The model presented by Uniting for Consensus envisages the improvement of Council working methods and of the relations between the Council and the General Assembly. While advocating for the suppression of the veto, and without impinging upon IGN’s consideration of Security Council reform, we should act together in the immediate term to move towards its limitation in specific circumstances, such as, but not limited to, mass atrocities and war crimes, in line with existing initiatives, such as the Franco-Mexican initiative and the ACT code of conduct.
During the 81st session of the General Assembly, UfC remains ready to engage constructively with the President of the General Assembly, the upcoming IGN Co-Chairs, and with all Member States towards advancing the shared aspiration for a reformed Security Council, that is better equipped to serve the interests of the international community as a whole, and to deliver on its fundamental responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.
