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The G4 Ministers called for an immediate shift towards text-based negotiations
In the pursuit of a more equitable and effective global governance framework, the Foreign Ministers of Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan—collectively known as the G4—came together on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly to issue a joint call for reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC). This high-profile meeting, held on September 23, 2024, included Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.
The G4 countries, which have long been advocating for a reform of the UNSC, argue that the current structure is outdated and insufficiently representative of today’s geopolitical realities. Their calls for a comprehensive reform have gained momentum, particularly in the wake of the "Summit of the Future" held earlier on September 22 and 23, where global leaders amplified the call for urgent changes to the Security Council.
In their joint press statement, the G4 Ministers highlighted “the current significant challenges to the multilateral system with the United Nations at its core”. They stressed that a comprehensive reform of the Security Council is an essential part of any endeavour to make the United Nations better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities and thus fit for the present and future.
Brazil’s leadership in this push for reform was highlighted during the meeting. The Ministers from Germany, India, and Japan applauded Brazil's initiative to launch a Call to Action on Global Governance Reform during its G20 Presidency. This initiative aims to overhaul global governance institutions, including the UNSC, and ensure they are better equipped to handle the pressing challenges of the 21st century.
Central to the G4’s call is the expansion of the UNSC in both permanent and non-permanent membership categories. The G4 Ministers argued that such an expansion would increase the Council's legitimacy, allowing it to better represent the interests of the international community. They noted that a large number of UN Member States support this expansion, and discussions during the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) have consistently pointed to the need for a more inclusive Security Council.
The G4 also emphasized the importance of enhancing the participation of developing countries and regions that are significantly underrepresented in the UNSC. They highlighted Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean as regions that deserve greater representation, aligning with the Common African Position (CAP) as outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
While the G4 Ministers acknowledged the steps taken during the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly to advance the UNSC reform process, they voiced strong concern over the persistent absence of substantial progress in the IGN and underlined the urgent need to begin text-based negotiations.
The G4 Ministers called for an immediate shift towards text-based negotiations, a move they believe will help break the deadlock and bring meaningful reform closer to reality. They welcomed the growing support for such negotiations and urged all Member States to adhere to the decision-making protocols outlined in the UN Charter and the General Assembly’s rules and procedures.
Looking ahead, the G4 Ministers underscored the importance of achieving significant progress on UNSC reform before the UN celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2025. They agreed to engage with the broader UN membership in good faith, seeking to build consensus and advance discussions on a consolidated reform model.
The Ministers concluded by reiterating their support for each other’s candidacies as aspiring permanent members of a reformed UNSC. They reaffirmed their commitment to working towards a more democratic, transparent, and effective Security Council that better reflects the world of today.
The G4’s call for urgent reform of the UN Security Council comes at a critical juncture for global governance. As the world faces increasingly complex challenges, the G4 Ministers argue that the Security Council must evolve to stay relevant and effective. With the support of numerous Member States and the momentum from the recent Summit of the Future, the G4 remains optimistic that substantial progress can be made before the UN’s 80th anniversary. However, the road ahead will require continued dialogue, collaboration, and a concerted effort to bring about long-overdue change.
The G4 countries, which have long been advocating for a reform of the UNSC, argue that the current structure is outdated and insufficiently representative of today’s geopolitical realities. Their calls for a comprehensive reform have gained momentum, particularly in the wake of the "Summit of the Future" held earlier on September 22 and 23, where global leaders amplified the call for urgent changes to the Security Council.
In their joint press statement, the G4 Ministers highlighted “the current significant challenges to the multilateral system with the United Nations at its core”. They stressed that a comprehensive reform of the Security Council is an essential part of any endeavour to make the United Nations better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities and thus fit for the present and future.
Brazil’s leadership in this push for reform was highlighted during the meeting. The Ministers from Germany, India, and Japan applauded Brazil's initiative to launch a Call to Action on Global Governance Reform during its G20 Presidency. This initiative aims to overhaul global governance institutions, including the UNSC, and ensure they are better equipped to handle the pressing challenges of the 21st century.
Central to the G4’s call is the expansion of the UNSC in both permanent and non-permanent membership categories. The G4 Ministers argued that such an expansion would increase the Council's legitimacy, allowing it to better represent the interests of the international community. They noted that a large number of UN Member States support this expansion, and discussions during the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) have consistently pointed to the need for a more inclusive Security Council.
The G4 also emphasized the importance of enhancing the participation of developing countries and regions that are significantly underrepresented in the UNSC. They highlighted Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean as regions that deserve greater representation, aligning with the Common African Position (CAP) as outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
While the G4 Ministers acknowledged the steps taken during the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly to advance the UNSC reform process, they voiced strong concern over the persistent absence of substantial progress in the IGN and underlined the urgent need to begin text-based negotiations.
The G4 Ministers called for an immediate shift towards text-based negotiations, a move they believe will help break the deadlock and bring meaningful reform closer to reality. They welcomed the growing support for such negotiations and urged all Member States to adhere to the decision-making protocols outlined in the UN Charter and the General Assembly’s rules and procedures.
Looking ahead, the G4 Ministers underscored the importance of achieving significant progress on UNSC reform before the UN celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2025. They agreed to engage with the broader UN membership in good faith, seeking to build consensus and advance discussions on a consolidated reform model.
The Ministers concluded by reiterating their support for each other’s candidacies as aspiring permanent members of a reformed UNSC. They reaffirmed their commitment to working towards a more democratic, transparent, and effective Security Council that better reflects the world of today.
The G4’s call for urgent reform of the UN Security Council comes at a critical juncture for global governance. As the world faces increasingly complex challenges, the G4 Ministers argue that the Security Council must evolve to stay relevant and effective. With the support of numerous Member States and the momentum from the recent Summit of the Future, the G4 remains optimistic that substantial progress can be made before the UN’s 80th anniversary. However, the road ahead will require continued dialogue, collaboration, and a concerted effort to bring about long-overdue change.
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