INFORMAL MEETING OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO INFORM THE INTRODUCTION TO THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
Statement by Ms. Briony Daley Whitworth, A/g Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
16 January 2026
Thank you, President.
Australia commends the continuation of this important initiative and we thank Pakistan for its role coordinating the introduction to the Security Council’s annual report for 2025.
President, today I make four points:
First – the annual report of the Security Council gives transparency to the Council’s work in pursuit of the maintenance of international peace and security.
Human rights, and development are intrinsically connected to peace, and vital to early warning, conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
Greater transparency and stronger coordination between not only the General Assembly and Security Council, but also the Security Council and ECOSOC, and Peacebuilding Commission can assist the Council to fulfil its responsibility and can enhance the UN’s impact on the ground.
In particular, Australia has consistently urged the Council to engage the Peacebuilding Commission’s advisory role, particularly before mandate renewals and in transition contexts, to ensure post-conflict transition planning is integrated into Special Political and peace operations mandates.
We would welcome deeper analysis and assessment of the Council’s engagement with the Peacebuilding Commission in the annual report.
Second – the Security Council could implement several changes to its working practices, including to avoid the delayed appointment of subsidiary body Chairs, as occurred in 2025.
We would like to see this issue reflected in the report’s introduction, with concrete proposals for increased efficiency and transparency in the appointment process, and substantive reporting on the work of the bodies themselves.
We continue to urge Council members to make timely appointments this year.
Third – Australia joins those who have already spoken this morning to urge for more transparency around the work the Council did not do, or could not do, and why.
One final related point, Australia welcomes the Security Council’s commitment to a transparent and inclusive process for the selection of the next Secretary-General.
At this crucial time for the UN, the entire UN membership has an important role to play in ensuring our next Secretary-General brings a clear vision for the organisation’s future, and for delivering reforms that ensure its efficiency and effectiveness.
President,
We welcome this discussion. We look forward to reflecting on the Security Council’s achievements and considering how it could be strengthened to meet its core mandate.
Thank you.