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STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA 125 ON “THE QUESTION OF EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION ON AND INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE

22 October 2026

SECURITY COUNCIL”, 81ST SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 22 OCTOBER 2026

Mr President,               

                I thank Ambassador Tareq Albanai of Kuwait and Ambassador Lise Gregoire-van Haaren of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for their excellent leadership during the 80th session, and I congratulate them on their reappointment as Co-Chairs for this session. I assure them of our full support.

Mr President,

2                  We live in a far more dangerous and divided world than ever before. The number of armed confrontations is at its highest level today since the Second World War. The foundations of the rules-based multilateral order are strained by deepening geopolitical rivalries and more frequent violations of international law. The need for timely and decisive action by this Organisation to keep the peace has never been more urgent or necessary.

3              The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Yet polarisation and paralysis have often prevented the UN Security Council from taking action in multiple areas, from Africa to the Middle East. We therefore believe that a reform of the Council is both timely and necessary if the Council is to remain relevant, effective and fit to deliver on its mandate. The credibility and legitimacy of the Council is also deeply tied to whether it is representative of the contemporary realities of the world today.

4              Singapore is not part of any informal grouping in the IGN process. As an independent voice and as a small state, we support a constructive approach based on candid and inclusive dialogue. I thank the Co-Chairs for the revised Elements paper and their efforts to encourage creative solutions. I also thank the various Groups who have presented their models of reform. These steps have renewed engagement in the IGN at the 80th session. Let me make three points.

5              First, Singapore has consistently supported expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories. But enlargement cannot merely accommodate the wishes of large powers or aspirants to permanent membership. Any comprehensive reform of the Council must take into account the historical under-representation of Africa, and we must also consider the equitable representation and legitimate interests of small states, which comprise the majority of today’s UN membership. Singapore welcomes the openness of members to the idea of exploring additional cross-regional rotating seats for SIDS, but further discussion is needed to address the aspirations of small states, 45 of whom have never served on the Council thus far.

6              Secondly, expansion must not hamper the Security Council’s ability to respond decisively and effectively. The Council already faces serious challenges in decision-making even with the status quo. An enlarged Council must therefore be of a reasonable size, with membership in the mid-20s, to ensure a good balance between efficacy and legitimacy. Expansion must be accompanied by strengthening the Council’s working methods to be effective. We support the work of the Elected Members in the Council to improve working methods of the Council in this regard.     

7              Thirdly, reform must enhance accountability of all Council members, including permanent members. For this reason, Singapore is not persuaded that increasing the number of veto-wielding members will make the Council more effective or responsive. Singapore strongly supports initiatives to strengthen accountability and restraint in the use of the veto. On this note, we welcome the UK’s decision to join the French-Mexican initiative, the second P5 member to do so, and we encourage others to do the same. We believe in the need for safeguards that will increase the accountability of all Council members. This is the basis for our idea of a Declaration of Responsibilities that will commit all Council members to abide by a code of conduct to uphold the Charter and to respect international law. And we believe that this idea of a Declaration of Responsibilities should form part of any comprehensive reform package that is eventually adopted.

Mr President,

8              The majority of Member States believe that reform of the Council is necessary. If we are to make any headway, all sides have to exercise flexibility and be prepared to make compromises. This is the only way we can work towards a consolidated model of reform that can command broad support. Singapore stands ready to play a constructive role towards this common objective.

9              Thank you very much.