New york: Permanent members of the UN Security Council on Monday outlined their expectations for the next secretary-general, emphasizing the need for reform, accountability, and a return to the organization's core mandate amid growing global challenges. The council held an open debate on the role and qualities of the next UN chief, set to take office after current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' second term ends on Dec. 31, 2026.
According to Anadolu Agency, China's delegation stressed four key principles for the next leadership, beginning with upholding fairness and justice to lay a solid foundation for lasting peace. The delegation emphasized remaining committed to political solutions as an effective pathway to peace and prioritizing development to address the root causes of conflict. "Without development, peace cannot be sustainable and conflicts cannot be truly resolved," China said, adding that upholding multilateralism and strengthening international synergy in safeguarding peace is essential.
France highlighted the necessity for the next secretary-general to bring the UN back to its foundational goals and help achieve the vision of peace and prosperity established 80 years ago. "The secretary-general is the incarnation of an international order based on the rule of law, the guarantor of this form of humanity," the French delegation stated, noting that the world expects the secretary-general to serve as a "compass" on global issues. They added that accountability for the effectiveness of the organization is crucial.
Russia acknowledged that the UN often fails to meet international community expectations despite its "enormous potential." Moscow emphasized that overcoming the crisis of trust in the UN would require good faith agreements and the adaptation of the UN system to changing realities, with a leading role played by the member states. The Russian delegation stressed the importance of the secretary-general's role being carried out in "strict compliance" with the UN Charter, respecting "neutrality and equidistance."
The UK pointed out the UN's unique ability among multilateral organizations to convene states and strengthen global cooperation to address issues like poverty, disease, natural disasters, human rights, and conflict prevention. The UK delegation stated that it will be the responsibility of the next UN secretary-general to confront and address these challenges head-on. London wants to see a UN refocused on core priorities, including maintaining peace and security, delivering humanitarian and development assistance, and protecting human rights.
The US criticized the UN for becoming a bloated bureaucracy plagued by "inefficiency, excessive spending, and lack of accountability." The US delegation emphasized that the next secretary-general must realign the organization with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, ensuring that the UN serves member states. Washington expects the next secretary-general to respect state sovereignty, guarantee fiscal responsibility, cut "wasteful spending," and ensure efficiency in internal operations. The US described this as a critical moment for the UN, calling for effective leadership to implement needed reforms.
The UN Security Council is composed of 15 countries, with five permanent members-China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US-and 10 non-permanent members elected to two-year terms. Permanent members hold veto power on non-procedural issues, allowing any single member to block a resolution.