Algeria Renews Call for UN Security Council Reform and Justice for Africa

On Friday in New York, Algeria, represented by its Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amar Bendjama, reiterated its call for reforming the UN Security Council and addressing the historical injustice faced by Africa. Algeria emphasized its unwavering commitment to the principles and objectives of the UN Charter and its readiness to collaborate with other member states to build a stronger, fairer, and more effective United Nations for current and future generations.

Speaking during a Security Council session titled “The United Nations: Reflections on the Future,” Bendjama noted that as the UN marks 80 years since the adoption of its Charter, the focus should not only be on the organization’s achievements but also on its ability to adapt to a rapidly changing global landscape. He highlighted that the UN Charter remains a cornerstone of multilateralism and the foundation of international peace and security. However, its full implementation faces serious challenges, including repeated violations of its principles, selective approaches to international law, double standards, and persistent divisions within the international community. Bendjama warned that unilateral actions, coercive measures, selective interpretations of the Charter’s principles, and the application of double standards undermine global trust and weaken the UN’s effectiveness.

In this context, Bendjama reaffirmed Algeria’s firm belief that the United Nations must remain a global and inclusive platform. Strengthening multilateralism, he argued, requires rebuilding trust among member states through respect for the Charter, adherence to international law, and a renewed commitment to collective responsibility. He stressed that addressing the current crisis of confidence in the multilateral system demands urgent and comprehensive reforms to the Security Council. Algeria firmly believes that the Council must be reformed in terms of its composition and working methods to ensure greater representation, transparency, and accountability.

Seizing the opportunity, Bendjama renewed Algeria’s call to correct the historical injustice against Africa, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. He emphasized that Africa’s legitimate aspirations for full representation must be central to any reform efforts. A more democratic, equitable, and representative Security Council, he argued, would enhance its legitimacy, credibility, and collective resolve.

Furthermore, Bendjama highlighted that revitalizing the work of the General Assembly is key to strengthening the UN’s overall role, particularly in matters of peace and security. This requires empowering the General Assembly, as the organization’s most representative body, to fulfill its rightful role in promoting preventive diplomacy, mediation, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. He underscored the critical importance Algeria places on the advisory role of the International Court of Justice, whose opinions help clarify complex legal issues and strengthen the rule of law.

As the United Nations embarks on implementing the UN80 initiative, Algeria, through its representative, called for reforms that enhance—rather than diminish—the organization’s effectiveness, legitimacy, and inclusivity. With the 2030 deadline approaching, Bendjama stressed that any reforms must urgently mobilize the UN to better address the needs of developing countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Bendjama emphasized that the future of the United Nations should be guided by renewed solidarity and multilateral cooperation. He described this as the only viable path forward, prioritizing dialogue over confrontation, consensus over division, and justice over selectivity and double standards. He reaffirmed Algeria’s steadfast commitment to the principles and objectives of the UN Charter and its willingness to work with other member states to build a stronger, fairer, and more effective United Nations for current and future generations.

On the occasion of the UN’s 80th anniversary, Bendjama expressed Algeria’s appreciation for the leadership of the UN Secretary-General and its deep gratitude for the efforts and sacrifices of UN staff and peacekeepers in upholding the principles and objectives of the Charter and advancing international peace and security.