Plenary meetings, 22nd meeting of the 81st session. Agenda items taken up: item 125, “Question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council”; “Debate on the item”. 34 speakers were heard, representing 34 delegations.
Points of disagreement
Namibia, on behalf of African Member States, the African group, rejected the bridging proposal of fixed regional seats, saying a seat held on an elected, renewable and reviewable term is not a permanent seat; it also said Africa reserves the right to proceed under the Pact for the Future should the IGN prevent meaningful progress.▶ 32:09
Bahrain, on behalf of Arab Group, regretted that the majority of cases in which the veto was used, particularly in the last three decades, concerned issues related to the Arab region.▶ 58:39
First Committee, 17th meeting of the 81st session. Agenda item taken up: “Thematic discussion on specific subjects and introduction and consideration of all draft resolutions and decisions submitted under agenda items (from 92 to 109)”. 56 speakers were heard, representing 56 delegations.
Points of disagreement
Norway condemned attacks that kill and injure humanitarian personnel, noting that in June an attack on a Norwegian People's Aid D mining team in Kherson killed two employees and injured four others, and that Russia's attacks pose growing risks to humanitarian actors in Ukraine.▶ 47:38
Montenegro called for Russia to cease what it called its unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, which it said violates the UN Charter, and to fully respect international humanitarian law.▶ 1:24:42
Third Committee, 24th meeting of the 81st session. Agenda item taken up: “Promotion and protection of human rights, Implementation of human rights instruments, Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives, Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action - Item 70, 70 (a), 70 (b), 70 (c), 70 (d) (A/81/169, A/81/164, A/81/128)”. 23 speakers were heard, representing 18 delegations.
Points of disagreement
special rapporteur on the right of everyone to enjoyment of the rights of the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health condemned the US government sanctions against the International Criminal Court, ICC, ICC judges and the special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, saying these actions violate international law, and urged the United States to immediately rescind them.▶ 16:24
Sixth Committee, 24th meeting of the 81st session. Agenda items taken up: “Responsibility of international organizations - Item 87 (A/81/83, A/81/222)”; “United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law - Item 77 (A/81/417)”. 28 speakers were heard, representing 27 delegations.
Key points
Cameroon reaffirmed full support for the program of assistance established by the General Assembly in 1965, saying it has helped for more than six decades to promote understanding of international law and strengthen national capacity.▶ 1:59:21
Philippines, on behalf of eleven member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, expressed concern about the liquidity situation and uncertainty over regular budget resources, which it said delayed planning and implementation of the regional courses and fellowship program, while welcoming the proposed additional resources for the 2027 program budget.
Digests are produced by machine from automatic transcripts and are published without human review. Speaker attribution rests on the Chair's own words and may be incomplete; unattributed speech is reported as a duration and is not summarised. The transcript is the record; check any line against it before relying on it.
Republic of Korea opposed any expansion of the veto, saying it would undermine efforts to make the Council more democratic and effective, and supported the Franco Mexican Initiative and the ACT Code of Conduct.▶ 2:25:19
Pakistan opposed the creation of individual additional permanent seats, saying that expanding the permanent category with or without veto would entrench inequality rather than democratize the Council.▶ 3:05:27
Key points
Jamaica, on behalf of fourteen member states of the Caribbean community, said the extremely slow pace of Security Council reform was deeply regrettable, and urged all Member States to fully recommit to the goal of urgent reform and to take tangible steps to secure it.▶ 39:10
Italy, on behalf of Pro Reform and Cross Regional Group Uniting for Consensus, reiterated confidence that the co-chairs will lead the IGN process in an impartial, balanced and inclusive manner, and stated that the goal is a Council that is more representative, democratic, transparent, accountable, effective and responsive.▶ 44:19
Nigeria, on behalf of L 69 Group, reaffirmed its full commitment to the common African position set out in the Azului Consensus and the SET Declaration, under which Africa seeks no less than two permanent seats with all prerogatives and privileges, including the veto for as long as it exists, and five non-permanent seats.▶ 1:35:14
Plenary meetings, 23rd meeting of the 81st session. Agenda items taken up: item 125, “Question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council”; “Continuation of the debate on the item”. 18 speakers were heard, representing 18 delegations. Rights of reply were exercised 4 times.
Rights of reply · 4
🇳🇦 NamibiaFIRST REPLY · in response to Kuwait, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Namibia stated that the African Union model for Security Council reform, presented earlier this year, gives practical expression to the Ezolini consensus and the Sierte Declaration, which it called the sole legitimate framework for Africa's position in the intergovernmental negotiations.▶ 2:04:22
Namibia emphasized that under the Pact for the Future, Africa must be treated as a special case and a priority, and that Africa's permanent and increased representation must remain central to any reform outcome.▶ 2:04:22
🇰🇵 Democratic People's Republic of KoreaFIRST REPLY · in response to Japan
Democratic People's Republic of Korea stated that Japan must never be permitted to become a permanent member of the Security Council, citing what it called Japan's past crimes against humanity, lack of apology and compensation, and military expansion.▶ 52:41
🇯🇵 JapanFIRST REPLY
Japan stated that Japan has consistently worked the path of a peace loving nation since the end of World War II and will continue its contributions as a responsible member state of the United Nations.▶ 1:27:46
🇯🇵 JapanSECOND REPLY
“Thank you, Mr. President. I will not repeat what was mentioned in my statement earlier. Japan will continue contributions as a responsible member state of the United Nations. I thank you. l'Assemblée à chaque fois. The Assembly has thus concluded. At this stage of its consideration of agenda item 125, the meeting is ad…”▶ 2:14:19
Points of disagreement
Democratic People's Republic of Korea stated that the Security Council must be reformed on the basis of impartiality and objectivity, alleging that it had issued no statement condemning what it called grave acts of state terrorism by the United States and had applied double standards regarding the Korean Peninsula.▶ 52:41
Ukraine stated that a state that, in its words, wages a war of aggression, violates the charter and commits war crimes cannot be entrusted with primary responsibility for international peace and security, and that the Russian Federation was never admitted to the UN under Article 4 of the Charter.▶ 1:15:05
Ecuador opposed the expansion of the veto and stated that it is vital to strengthen transparency and accountability in how it is used.▶ 1:48:55
Key points
Mauritania called for genuine reforms of the Security Council, stating that after 80 years the old order could no longer keep pace with change, and that its working methods should be strengthened to make it fairer, more equitable and more global in outlook.▶ 24:37
Türkiye welcomed the reappointment of the permanent representatives of Kuwait and Kingdom of the Netherlands as co-facilitators of the IGN.▶ 57:33
Japan stressed that Security Council reform is urgently needed to make the Council truly representative, legitimate and effective, and that IGN must be a member state led process, with the co-chairs' work on a consolidated model carried out fairly, impartially and transparently.▶ 1:27:46
Bulgaria condemned Russia's use of antipersonal landmines and cluster munitions on Ukrainian territory, which it said cause indiscriminate killings of civilians, and stated that these actions must halt immediately.▶ 1:39:48
Spain stated that current conflicts, in particular what it called Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, demonstrate the need to preserve and strengthen norms of humanitarian disarmament, and that it supports the Convention on the Prohibition of Antipersnal Minds and the Convention on Cluster Munitions.▶ 2:44:15
Key points
Ireland, on behalf of a group of states, welcomed the final report's confirmation of the human involvement needed for compliance with international law in armed conflict, and the first agreed working characterization of lethal autonomous weapons systems.▶ 34:19
Austria, on behalf of a group of states, stated that protecting civilians is a major challenge in contemporary armed conflicts, and that the use of explosive weapons in populated areas is one of the main drivers of suffering, including damage to civilian infrastructure that disrupts essential services.▶ 43:24
Jamaica, on behalf of fourteen member states of the Caribbean community, underscored the profound humanitarian and security challenges posed by the widespread availability and illicit trafficking of conventional weapons, and stressed the need for their production, use and transfer to be effectively regulated in strict compliance with existing international legal instruments and regional frameworks.▶ 53:27
First Committee, 18th meeting of the 81st session. Agenda items taken up: “Thematic discussion on specific subjects and introduction and consideration of all draft resolutions and decisions submitted under agenda items (from 92 to 109)”; “A/C.1/81/L.38”; “A/C.1/81/L.34”. 33 speakers were heard, representing 32 delegations. Rights of reply were exercised 11 times.
Rights of reply · 11
🇰🇵 Democratic People's Republic of KoreaFIRST REPLY · in response to Republic of Korea, Ukraine
Democratic People's Republic of Korea categorically rejected what it called the despicable attempt of the ROK over the mine explosion case, which it described as a fabricated and premeditated farce, and said its state would exercise its sovereign rights more resolutely to ensure security of the southern border.▶ 2:36:31
Democratic People's Republic of Korea stated that the DPRK would never discuss with the enemy country the issue of exercising its military sovereignty within its territory, and that its cooperation with the Russian Federation under the bilateral treaty could not be subject to interference by a third party.▶ 2:36:31
🇮🇱 IsraelFIRST REPLY
“Uh I suppose to have four and a half minutes. Thank you. Chair, Israel is committed to security, peace and the rule of law, even under the most complex conditions. For three years, Israel has been engaged in a war against terrorist groups that operate throughout the Middle East and undermine regional stability. This wa…”▶ 2:39:37
🇺🇸 United StatesFIRST REPLY · in response to Islamic Republic of Iran
United States rejected the basis for what it called an inaccurate portrayal of U.S. conventional arms transfers, stated that such transfers are lawful, transparent and subject to export control review and congressional oversight, and called on Iran to comply fully with its own obligations.▶ 2:43:45
🇵🇱 PolandFIRST REPLY · in response to Russian Federation
Poland stated that Russia has never been a party to the APMBC, nor limited itself by its provisions, and that Russia employs landmines extensively, particularly in Ukraine.▶ 2:44:57
Poland reaffirmed standing with Ukraine, stating that without Russia's invasion Kiev would not be forced to defend itself, and that Moscow's aim of making others abandon support for Ukraine and seek a deal with an aggressor would not succeed.▶ 2:44:57
🇺🇦 UkraineFIRST REPLY · in response to Russian Federation
“Thank you. Mr. Chair, our delegation is compelled to take the floor in response to the statement made by the delegation of the Russian Federation. Let us be clear. Russia is an aggressive state and Ukraine is defending itself in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. Ukraine remains firmly committed to internati…”▶ 2:48:42
🇰🇷 Republic of KoreaFIRST REPLY · in response to Democratic People's Republic of Korea
“Thank you, Mr. Chair. My delegation did not intend to take the floor again, but we are compelled to do so in response to the statement made by the representative of the DPRK. The Republic of Korea firmly points out that the DPRK's allegation that the Republic of Korea is engaging in provocations in the DMZ and heighten…”▶ 2:51:07
🇮🇷 Islamic Republic of IranFIRST REPLY · in response to United States
Islamic Republic of Iran rejected the remarks of the Israeli regime and the United States as unfounded and absurd, and said the root causes of resistance in the region lay in occupation and the denial of the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self determination.▶ 2:53:16
🇷🇺 Russian FederationSECOND REPLY · in response to Poland, Ukraine
Russian Federation stated that Russian forces target only military infrastructure and military targets, not civilians, and that the aims of the special military operation will be achieved whatever the circumstances.▶ 2:57:50
🇰🇵 Democratic People's Republic of KoreaSECOND REPLY · in response to Republic of Korea
Democratic People's Republic of Korea stated that the project of fortifying the southern border would be surely and successfully continued according to its timetable, and urged the ROK to stop what it called a sordid attempt at tarnishing the international image of the DPRK.▶ 3:00:23
🇺🇦 UkraineSECOND REPLY · in response to Russian Federation
“Thank you, Mr. Chair. We are compelled to take the floor again to exercise our right of reply in response to yet another attempt by the Russian delegation to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine, including under the label of so called special military operation. Russia continues to wage a war of aggression aga…”▶ 3:01:33
🇷🇺 Russian FederationFIRST REPLY · in response to Estonia
“Thank you, Mr. Chair. We had to respond to the astonishing anti-Russian statement by the Delegation of Estonia. We decisively reject the completely unjustified accusations against us. One has the impression that some states see the aim of their participation in the work of the First Committee as disseminating disinform…”▶ 3:03:55
Points of disagreement
Indonesia, on behalf of Nonline Movement, rejected malicious use of ICTs, including the Internet, social networks and social media, not in accordance with international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations.▶ 1:28:38
Russian Federation rejected all accusations against it as unjustified and unmoored from reality, and stated that it fully complies with international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and its protocols, and the Convention on Conventional Weapons and its Protocols.▶ 2:31:51
Key points
Islamic Republic of Iran stressed that the inherent right of states to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter must be fully upheld, and said Iran attached great importance to the UNPOA and the ITI as a victim of foreign-backed terrorism.▶ 1:07:09
Libya, on behalf of Arab Group, emphasized that implementing agreed-upon solutions in multilateral frameworks, based on international law and the Charter of the United Nations, provides the only sustainable way to address disarmament and international security issues.▶ 1:36:12
Republic of Korea proposed moving from an informal exchange to a structured dialogue on AI in the military domain, with member states and relevant stakeholders meeting for three days in Geneva in both 2027 and 2028 to discuss transparency and confidence building measures and possible next steps.▶ 1:47:02
Cuba expressed concern about the effects of the US blockade, intensified by the oil siege and complementary sanctions, citing a surgery waiting list of a 100,000 patients, of which 12,000 are children.▶ 41:17
Islamic Republic of Iran stated that during what it called military aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime in late February, 245 healthcare units, 70 hospitals and 69 ambulances and rescue vehicles were destroyed, 26 healthcare workers were killed and 118 injured, and the Pastor Institute of Iran was damaged.▶ 46:36
Key points
Brazil welcomed the report's recognition that health outcomes are shaped by broader socio, economic, and environmental conditions, and underscored the importance of addressing socially determined diseases that disproportionately affect populations in situations of vulnerability, poverty and social exclusion.▶ 25:56
European Union, on behalf of EU and its member states, welcomed the focus of the Special Rapporteur's report on justice and accountability for violations of the right to health, and supported a human rights-based approach that integrates health across policies and addresses its underlying socioeconomic determinants.▶ 39:02
Sovereign Order of Malta highlighted three priorities: protecting health care during armed conflict and keeping essential services accessible; making mental health and psychosocial support integral to humanitarian and health responses; and strengthening local health systems and empowering local health care workers and organizations.▶ 51:51
Third Committee, 25th meeting of the 81st session. Agenda item taken up: “Promotion and protection of human rights, Implementation of human rights instruments, Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives, Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action - Item 70, 70 (a), 70 (b), 70 (c), 70 (d) - A/81/189, A/81/286, A/81/376”. 40 speakers were heard, representing 38 delegations.
Points of disagreement
Israel regretted that the report avoided naming Hamas as responsible for what it called a blatant disregard for human dignity, including the mutilation and burning of Israeli victims beyond recognition.▶ 31:14
Lithuania, on behalf of Nordic Baltic states, expressed concern about the misuse of religion for political purposes and for justifying aggression, violence and repression within a country, stating that the Kremlin politically instrumentalizes Russia's Orthodox Church for its war of aggression against Ukraine.▶ 47:32
Cuba rejected the inclusion of Cuba in what it called politically motivated lists drawn up by the United States government seeking to unilaterally judge religious freedoms in other countries.▶ 50:38
Islamic Republic of Iran stated that during what it called an unlawful war of aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime, places of worship of religious minorities were destroyed, including the Rafiniya synagogue in Tehran, and that the Special Rapporteur was silent on attacks on places of worship inside Iran.▶ 1:04:16
Key points
European Union, on behalf of European Union and its member states, asked the Special Rapporteur which examples of best practice she had come across to guide future actions.▶ 35:01
Kenya, on behalf of African group, welcomed Ms. Zaina Jalad as the new Special Rapporteur and appreciated her inaugural report and its eight thematic priorities.▶ 1:35:49
Namibia welcomed the Special Rapporteur's report, which it said confirms that harm from unilateral cohesive measures extends far beyond the targeted state and is felt most in humanitarian settings.▶ 1:43:06
Jamaica, on behalf of fourteen Member States of the Caribbean community, emphasized that access to international legal education is essential so that all states, regardless of size or resources, can participate effectively in the international legal order, and stressed ensuring equitable access for qualified candidates from developing countries, including those from the Caribbean.▶ 1:19:00
Sixth Committee, 25th meeting of the 81st session. Agenda items taken up: “United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law - Item 77 (A/81/417)”; “Report of the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization - Item 83 (A/81/33, A/81/206)”. 26 speakers were heard, representing 24 delegations. Rights of reply were exercised 6 times.
Rights of reply · 6
🇮🇱 IsraelFIRST REPLY
“Thank you, Madam Chair. It has become all too predictable that bad actors have attempted to hijack the proceedings of this committee for the sole purpose of demonizing my country and not for the first time while considering this item. Last year it was Oman on behalf of the Arab group. Today it was Libya on behalf of th…”▶ 1:56:10
🇵🇸 State of PalestineFIRST REPLY
“Thank you, Madam Chair, for giving me the floor. Once again, the Israeli delegation is attacking the delegations in this room, this time attacking the Arab group, calling them dead actors, show calling, showcasing and demonstrating the lack of qualities that the Israeli delegation has to serve as a member state on the …”▶ 2:01:06
🇱🇾 LibyaFIRST REPLY
Libya stated it was not surprised by the response of the delegate of what it called the state of occupation, and said that state most violates the resolutions, norms and charter of the organization and should reflect on its own actions rather than lecture others.▶ 2:02:47
🇮🇱 IsraelSECOND REPLY
“Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I'll be brief. I'm not sure if I need to do a point of order or a right of reply. But uh just to put the record straight as in a matter of accura accuracy I haven't said uh about anyone that is dead actor. I said bad actors. So I think that you know this is another way of manipulation or try …”▶ 2:03:57
🇵🇸 State of PalestineSECOND REPLY · in response to Israel
“Thank you, Madam Chair. Um so after proceeding after um uh calling the the delegations uh of the unfull of hypocrisy, the Israeli delegation just admitted to have called the other delegations bad actors. Again, demonstrating their unfitness to be a member of the United Nations, let alone a member of the advisory commit…”▶ 2:05:42
🇮🇷 Islamic Republic of IranFIRST REPLY
Islamic Republic of Iran rejected what it called baseless allegations against Iran, stating that its measures responded to aggression and were an exercise of its inherent right of self defense, and that, under paragraph 8 of Security Council Resolution 2231, sanctions resolutions were terminated on 18 October 2025.▶ 3:15:46
Points of disagreement
Libya, on behalf of Arab Group, reiterated the importance of all states respecting the UN Charter, international law, IHL and international human rights law, applied universally without selectivity or double standards, and expressed continuous support to the ICJ, including its determinations on the question of Palestine.▶ 2:56:26
Key points
Islamic Republic of Iran stressed that the program of assistance has been a fundamental pillar of United Nations efforts to promote understanding of international law for more than 60 years, and that funding it is not a cost but an investment in international law and the rule of law.▶ 51:50
Cameroon, on behalf of African Group, welcomed the adoption of the report contained in Document A133 and commended the constructive spirit and flexibility demonstrated by delegations throughout the discussion.▶ 2:43:41
European Union, on behalf of European Union and its Member States, welcomed the adoption by consensus of a substantive report for the second consecutive year, and thanked the Chair, the Bureau, the Secretariat and delegations whose flexibility made this possible.▶ 2:50:01