Reforming the UN Security Council for an Equal and Sustainable Future

Summary

The panel session will urge member States to recommit to bold and just UNSC reforms that would effectively contribute to a more equal, inclusive, efficient and responsive multilateral peace architecture as envisaged in the UN Charter.

Description

In 2024, despite decades of diplomatic efforts, conflicts remain a persistent and devastating cause of humanitarian needs worldwide. Rooted in inequality, fuelled by political strife, ethnic tensions, or territorial disputes, these conflicts have a common pattern: inevitably, ordinary people bear the brunt—displaced from their homes, facing violence, food insecurity, and lacking access to the most basic services such as healthcare, education, protection.

As part of the UN Summit of the Future Action Day, on 21 September 2024, Oxfam International and partners will hold Panel Session on ‘Reforming the UN Security Council for an Equal and Sustainable Future,’ urging Member States, especially permanent members of the UN Security Council, to use the Summit of the Future, a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity, to recommit to bold and just UNSC reforms that would effectively contribute to a more equal, inclusive, efficient and responsive multilateral peace architecture as envisaged in the UN Charter. The session aims at interrogating key actions and policy recommendations in line with various initiatives including the Pact for the Future, the report of the High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism, the People’s Pact for the Future and Oxfam Flagship report on ‘Vetoing humanity: How powerful governments are hijacking our global peace and security.’

Side Event organized by: Oxfam International, Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UN), The Impact Coalition for UN Charter Reform, The Stimson Center, Global Governance Innovation Network (GGIN), Trust Africa, The United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR), African Union Economic, Social and cultural Council (AU ECOSOCC).

***

To generate additional opportunities for the engagement of all actors, the Secretary-General of the United Nations is convening the Summit of the Future Action Days on 20 and 21 September 2024 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Bringing together representatives from Member States, civil society, private sector, academia, local and regional authorities, youth, and many more, the Action Days will provide an opportunity for broad engagement and inclusion. These stakeholders have all played a key role in shaping the Pact for the Future and will be critical to its implementation.

Side events provide further insights and opportunities for multi-stakeholder collaboration.