Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at the Security Council Open Debate “The United Nations Organization: Looking into the Future” - October 24th, 2025

Madam President,

Brazil attaches great importance to reflections on how to strengthen the UN as it marks its 80th anniversary.

Eighty years after the Charter’s adoption, the UN remains the cornerstone of an international order founded on dialogue, cooperation, and the sovereign equality of all States. Its central mission of saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war remains vital as a task and an inspiration. Its three pillars - peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights - remain as essential as ever.

Upholding international law is the surest way to keep the legitimate relevance of the UN in a world marked by growing instability, conflict, inequality, and poverty.

Discussions on the UN80 Initiative should take place in the General Assembly, where all member states are equally represented. The Security Council’s mandate is the maintenance of international peace and security. Any consideration of the Organization’s future in this Chamber should therefore be approached through those lenses. This debate is a valuable contribution to examine how the Council can better help prevent conflict, sustain peace, and uphold the Charter’s purposes and principles. But it is a part of the broader effort.

The Council can contribute within its mandate to the implementation of decisions taken by member states under the UN 80 process. It should also focus more on prevention, political solutions and a better use of instruments under Chapter VI of the Charter. They are more cost-effective and efficient than intervening once conflicts break out.

In the ongoing Peace Operations review, mandated by the Pact for the Future, the Council can also contribute by

providing firm support for political solutions and designing efficient and flexible mandates, without overlooking key elements of legitimacy, such as the central role of the UN and multilaterally agreed mandates. Those mandates must provide missions with adequate funding to ensure effectiveness and guarantee successful exit strategies and transition plans, as part of a comprehensive approach to sustaining peace.

It is of paramount importance that the Council works in synergy with the PBC. Both bodies should fully use their mandates to support countries transitioning from peacekeeping and advancing peacebuilding.

This Council can make a positive impact on the review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture, by strengthening the UN peacebuilding and conflict prevention capabilities, and by unanimously adopting proposals that garner consensus among the larger membership.

Madam President,

The Council itself needs reform to become more legitimate and more representative of the realities of today’s world, and thus more efficient. Both permanent and non-permanent categories should be expanded to include new members from Africa and Latin America.

The Council must act with greater unity and consistency, upholding the UN Charter and the collective interest rather than narrow political considerations of individual members. The protracted situation in the Middle East as well as the conflicts in Sudan and Ukraine suffer the effects of polarization and, thus, of the incapacity of the Council to fulfil its duties.

An inclusive multilateralism, where the Global South plays a larger role in decision-making in the peace and security agenda can help rebuild trust. Both inside and outside the Council, transparency, accountability, and a renewed commitment to diplomacy are essential to revive the spirit of cooperation that gave birth to this Organization and guarantee its legitimacy.

Madam President,

Any reform of the UN in the peace and security agenda and beyond can only succeed by making it fit for purpose. This should be a Member-State-driven process.

Reform must also draw on lessons from the Pact for the Future, ensuring coherence across processes and advancing a forward-looking multilateralism.

Brazil remains committed to constructive discussions on the future of the United Nations, working with all member states to equip the Organization to deliver its mandates more effectively and equitably.

Eighty years on, the UN continues to embody humanity’s collective hope for peace, dignity, and development. Our task is not to reinvent it, but to renew it, faithful to its Charter and responsive to the needs of present and future generations.

Thank you.