On 16^th April 2026, the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation was represented by Senior Advisor Prof Tim Murithi, at an Austrian Embassy’s Open House Discussion in New York, on the United Nations Security Council Reform. This is an issue gaining renewed urgency in a rapidly shifting global landscape and a system of collective security that is unravelling.

The Open House Discussion on UN Security Council Reform aimed to support the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiations chaired by Kuwait and Netherlands. The discussion focused on ensuring that a future Security Council reflects the realities of today’s world, represents the global community in a more equitable manner, and is capable of effectively addressing contemporary peace and security challenges in line with its mandate under the UN Charter.

This convening took place against the backdrop of growing momentum for reform. Notably, world leaders had reached a historic agreement in the UN Pact for the Future, which through its Action Point 39 called for redress for Africa’s historical exclusion, in 1945, from the design and operationalization of the current multilateral system of collective security. The discussion called for Africa’s inclusion in a future system of collective security, the African Union has outlined its Model which was developed by the AU Committee of Ten Heads of State on the Reform of the UN Security Council, which was formally adopted by the AU Summit, in Addis Ababa, in February 2026.

Prof. Murithi provided a critique of Article 108 process to amend the UN Charter and reform the UNSC, which would be dominated by the Permanent Five (P5) member of the Security Council. He contrasted this with a General Assembly Article 109 Resolution, which would convene a General Conference to Review the United Nations Charter. An Article 109 a process is more inclusive and democratic given that each member of the UN General Assembly would have one vote and the P5 would not be able to veto the convening of the General Conference, which would take place over more than a year or two.

Within this context, the Open House Discussion served as a platform for informal, interactive engagement among representatives from think tanks, academia, civil society, and Member States. The aim of the discussion was to identify innovative ways to advance the intergovernmental reform process.

The event was co-moderated by the IGN Co-Chairs the Permanent Representatives of Kuwait and the Netherlands, and was hosted by Austria, a former IGN Co-Chair. As debates around reform intensify, the question remains: can a changing world finally usher in a genuinely transformed UN Security Council?