Guterres Calls for Permanent African Seat on UN Security Council in Final Assembly Address

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a permanent seat for Africa on the UN Security Council during his final opening address to the General Assembly, according to France 24.

Guterres, who is stepping down as secretary-general, used the address to call for a broader reform of the Security Council, arguing that its current structure does not adequately reflect the make-up of the international community. He also called for reform of the global financial system.

A Farewell Address on Reform

The Security Council's five permanent members currently do not include any African nation, a structure that has long drawn criticism from African governments and international observers who argue the continent is underrepresented in global decision-making bodies. Guterres's remarks align with longstanding calls from African Union member states for expanded representation.

The report did not provide the full text of Guterres's remarks or specify concrete proposals for how Security Council reform or global financial reform might be implemented. It also did not detail reactions from other UN member states to the address.

Further details on the General Assembly session and reactions to Guterres's address were not immediately available.