Statement by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Norberto Moretti, at the formal meeting of the first Intergovernmental Negotiations framework (IGN) plenary meeting - February 20th, 2026

Dear co-chairs,

My delegation fully and firmly aligns itself with the statements delivered by Japan on behalf of the G4 and Saint Lucia on behalf of the L.69.

We all agree that, at its core, the Council's urgent need for reform stems from its anachronistic membership, which affects both its representativeness and effectiveness, two sides of the same coin. Hence, any meaningful reform of the Council requires a profound review of its membership.

The problem, as we know, is that Member States have opposite views on which categories of membership to expand. While differing positions are a fact of life, including at the UN, it is quite extraordinary that we continue discussing the issue in the abstract for over a decade and a half.

The novelty is your idea of "fixed regional seats". Brazil’s substantive view on it has been clearly expressed by Japan and Saint Lucia, and I will not repeat it. Today I will simply stress an absolutely fundamental procedural aspect.

Your effort to sound novel ideas as a means to reconcile differing positions does have merit. At the same time, at this point in our protracted discussions, the only chance we have to start moving forward, of eventually squaring the circle, is to have a consolidated model, which is to be based on proposals made by Member States. Preparing such a document - in these terms - would be a very welcome and historic contribution. Ideas not submitted by delegations might be needed in the future, at a late stage of negotiations, if Member States themselves prove unable to find solutions.

Dear co-chairs,

As always, you can count on Brazil’s active and constructive engagement in a member-driven process that allows us to make real progress in Security Council reform. If we are serious and consequential about truly making the UN fit for purpose, this is the way to go.

I thank you.