Britain used the UN Security Council’s open debate on working methods to restate its push for a more action‑oriented Council able to build consensus through informed negotiation. The UK thanked briefers for their institutional knowledge and recognised Denmark and Pakistan for jointly steering the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions.
The government reiterated support for full implementation of “Note 507”, the Council’s compendium of working methods, following an update overseen by Japan in the Informal Working Group. Ministers said the revisions are intended to strengthen transparency and accountability while preserving necessary confidentiality, including around access to historical documentation.
London set out its approach to penholding, the practice by which one or more members lead on drafting resolutions and statements. The UK said it will continue to consult countries directly concerned and regional stakeholders, including through bilateral engagement and by inviting participation under Rule 37 of the Provisional Rules of Procedure where appropriate.
Rule 37 enables non‑Council member states whose interests are specially affected to participate, without a vote, in meetings on matters that concern them. The UK presented this as part of a more inclusive drafting process designed to surface regional views early and improve the chances of agreement in the Council chamber.
Where mutually agreeable, the UK indicated it will continue co‑penning Council products. It cited work with African members on Libya and Sudan as examples of shared authorship to reflect regional ownership. For practitioners, this points to greater use of joint penholdership when regional alignment can support outcomes.
On subsidiary bodies, the UK noted that delays this year in appointing committee chairs have had practical effects on committee work. It called for agreement on a package for 2026 early enough to allow incoming chairs sufficient preparation time, a step likely to matter for sanctions implementation, mandate reviews and reporting cycles.
The statement underlined that all Council members share responsibility for safeguarding the Council’s integrity and fulfilling its mandate to maintain international peace and security. The UK committed to working with current and incoming members to keep reviewing working methods to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
For missions in New York and for capitals, the signal is procedural discipline rather than a change of doctrine: closer adherence to Note 507, earlier designation of committee chairs, and wider use of Rule 37 participation and co‑penning where these measures can build consensus. The measure of success will be more timely decisions on files already under pressure.