UN Security Council Reform: Thematic Futures

This research paper by Jakkie Cilliers outlines the legal mechanisms for amending the UN Charter to reform the UN Security Council and warns that the high threshold for ratification threatens the legitimacy of the entire UN system.

• The UN Charter provides two distinct methods for amendment under Chapter XVIII. Article 108 allows for individual amendments adopted by a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly and ratified by two-thirds of member states, including all five permanent members of the Security Council. Article 109 allows for a General Conference to review the Charter, which requires a two-thirds General Assembly vote and a vote of any nine Security Council members, with alterations requiring ratification by two-thirds of member states and all five permanent members; this mechanism has never been used.
• The requirement for ratification by all five permanent members of the Security Council (P5) creates a significant barrier to reform. Failure to reform the Council may lead to the UN system becoming irrelevant, with negative impacts on regions including Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, and may block reforms in the Secretariat, the UN General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and the Human Rights Council.
• The lack of reform threatens the legitimacy of global institutions like the International Criminal Court and creates a divide between the power of the majority, the veto, and financial power. Potential consequences of continued stagnation include India ceasing support for the UNSC or non-permanent members exiting the Council.

APA

Cilliers, J. (2026). UN Security Council Reform: Thematic Futures. Institute for Security Studies. https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=19-un-security-council&topic=10-amending-the-un-charter

Chicago

Cilliers, Jakkie. UN Security Council Reform: Thematic Futures. Institute for Security Studies, 2026. https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=19-un-security-council&topic=10-amending-the-un-charter.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Cilliers |first1=Jakkie |title=UN Security Council Reform: Thematic Futures |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=29 March 2026 |url=https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=19-un-security-council&topic=10-amending-the-un-charter |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cilliers2026security, author = {Cilliers, Jakkie}, title = {{UN Security Council Reform: Thematic Futures}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=19-un-security-council&topic=10-amending-the-un-charter}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }