Informal meeting of the plenary on the intergovernmental negotiations on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Council
Statement by the Micronesia Delegation
New York, 20 April 2026
Thank you, Co-Chairs,
I align Micronesia’s statement with that delivered by the distinguished representative of St. Lucia on behalf of the L.69 Group. Micronesia strongly supports the ongoing discussions on Security Council reform and warmly welcomes the AU Committee of Ten’s submission of the African Model, presented by Ambassador Michael Kanu of Sierra Leone, the C-10 Coordinator.
Co-Chairs,
For eighty years since the founding of the United Nations, the arrangement from a bygone era may have been necessary at that time, but it no longer adequately represents the broader membership of the United Nations today. The world has changed significantly, and this evolution should be reflected in our representation. It is important that the voices of the majority are not overshadowed by the decisions of a few, and that the needs and perspectives of all members are taken into consideration. It is therefore essential that we continue our efforts to reform the Security Council so that it better reflects the realities of today’s world and serves the interests of all member states.
Micronesia reiterates its support for expanding Security Council membership in both categories to provide developing countries and underrepresented regions with a greater voice in decisions that affect their interests. As an L.69 member, Micronesia supports the L.69’s blueprint of 27 seats (needing 15 affirmative votes) alongside Africa’s minimum of 26. This harmony ensures meaningful growth, fair representation for the Global South, vital for vast-ocean nations like ours, and a Council equipped to tackle the threats posed by climate change and sea-level rise with credibility.
As my delegation has said in past statements, reform is not just a choice; it is necessary to make the Council more legitimate and effective.
Co-Chairs,
Micronesia fully supports the Common African Position, as reflected in the African Model, for two permanent seats with all the rights and privileges of permanent membership. Like the African Model, the L.69’s origins in A/61/L.69/Rev.1 stem from a fundamental truth: the Security Council lacks legitimacy when regions suffering its decisions most, whether Africa’s crises or our drowning atolls from sea-level rise hold the least sway. For Micronesia’s low-lying communities, this gap threatens not just equity, but our physical existence.
Micronesia fully supports giving SIDS a non-permanent seat, whose voices are often not heard in the Security Council. As a SIDS, Micronesia therefore champions the L.69’s proposal, rooted in CARICOM advocacy, for a rotating non-permanent seat reserved for Small Island Developing States. Far from rivaling Africa’s demands, it fills a critical void: addressing SIDS’ acute exposure to climate-driven security risks that could submerge our homelands. We urge the C-10 to explore integrating this forward-looking element.
Co-Chairs,
In conclusion, I respectfully encourage the IGN to consider documenting each meeting in writing. Maintaining a single, updated text would enhance transparency, clarify positions, and support more focused discussions. Such an approach would better equip the UN to address emerging challenges, while ensuring that Security Council reform remains central to our shared objectives.
I thank you.