The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly opened on September 8, 2026, in New York, under the presidency of Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh. The session's theme, "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations in Service to All," reflects the challenges facing the UN today, including the proliferation of conflicts, rising rivalries between powers, and tensions over multilateralism financing. The Secretary-General, António Guterres, noted that nearly half of the national or regional conflicts examined by the UN concerned Africa.
The question of trust is central to the UN's credibility, but it is closely tied to the issue of power. The UN's architecture, established in 1945, has not kept pace with the transformations in the world. The Organization has grown from 51 to 193 member states, but the five permanent members of the Security Council - the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom - still hold significant influence. This structure reflects the post-World War II international order, which has been criticized for being outdated.
Africa is particularly affected by this imbalance, with 28% of UN member states and a significant proportion of peace and security situations on the Security Council's agenda. However, no African country has a permanent seat on the Council. António Guterres has stated that the absence of permanent African representation is "indéfendable." The African Union has long called for at least two permanent seats for Africa, with the same prerogatives as current permanent members, as well as five non-permanent seats on an expanded Council.
The crisis of representation is compounded by a crisis of effectiveness. The Security Council's ability to make collective decisions can be limited when the strategic interests of a permanent member or its allies are engaged. This has led to perceptions of selectivity in the application of international law. The UN is also facing significant resource constraints, with the UN80 initiative estimating a 16 billion dollar reduction in the global resource base between 2024 and 2026.
Restoring trust requires addressing three key questions: representation, equity, and effectiveness. The international institutions must reflect contemporary demographic, economic, and geopolitical realities. The principles proclaimed must be applied consistently to remain credible. The system must also have the means to transform norms into consequences when they are violated. The President of the General Assembly emphasized that citizens are no longer asking simply if the UN exists but if it functions.
The African Union has reaffirmed its position on UN reform, calling for a more representative and effective Security Council. The Organization must be able to address the challenges facing the continent, including conflicts, terrorism, and climate change. Africa cannot simply demand a place at the table; it must also build its power and influence to shape international decisions.
The UN's reform is critical to its legitimacy and effectiveness. The Organization must be able to adapt to the changing global landscape and address the needs of its member states. The 81st General Assembly session provides an opportunity for member states to engage in discussions on UN reform and find ways to restore trust in multilateralism.
Key points
- The UN's credibility is closely tied to its ability to reform and adapt to changing global realities.
- Africa is calling for at least two permanent seats on the UN Security Council, with the same prerogatives as current permanent members.
- The UN is facing significant resource constraints, with a 16 billion dollar reduction in the global resource base estimated between 2024 and 2026.
