At the UN Security Council’s “Leadership for Peace” session in New York on 15 December 2025, the UK’s Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, Ambassador James Kariuki, set out priorities for a United Nations more sharply focused on maintaining peace and security, delivering humanitarian and development assistance, and protecting human rights. He noted rising global conflict levels and identified sexual and gender‑based violence as among the gravest crimes in war.
Kariuki confirmed UK support for an ambitious UN80 reform programme to improve efficiency, effectiveness and coherence across the system, alongside a broader use of the Secretary‑General’s “good offices” to support mediation, including in protracted crises such as Sudan.
UN80 is the Secretary‑General’s modernisation effort timed to the Organisation’s 80th year. A UN Office at Geneva progress report in September 2025 sketches proposals to streamline enabling services, strengthen system‑wide data, and better integrate work across peace and security, humanitarian action, sustainable development and human rights.
On Security Council reform, the UK restated that membership should expand in both permanent and non‑permanent categories to improve responsiveness and representation. In recent General Assembly statements, the UK has specified support for permanent African representation and new permanent seats for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, with total membership rising to the mid‑20s.
The intervention comes as the formal process to select the next Secretary‑General begins. A joint letter from the Presidents of the General Assembly and Security Council on 25 November 2025 opened nominations and set a transparent procedure involving public vision statements and candidate dialogues. The UK called for a merit‑based process and encouraged the nomination of women.
Policy Wire analysis: Expanding the good offices function would mean more sustained diplomatic engagement by the Secretary‑General and envoys where formal talks are stalled. The UK pointed to Sudan as a case for intensified mediation support to help prepare conditions for negotiations.
Policy Wire analysis: If Member States endorse key UN80 measures, UN agencies and donors should anticipate adjustments to planning cycles, pooled funding and reporting lines. The September report signals streamlined back‑office services, more integrated peace operations and stronger data infrastructure intended to cut duplication and speed delivery.
Further movement now depends on Member States. The UK has argued for advancing towards text‑based discussions in the intergovernmental negotiations on Council reform, while the Secretary‑General selection will run through 2026 with the Assembly and Council presidents maintaining a public list of candidates ahead of a Council recommendation and General Assembly appointment.