UNSC Open Debate on the Working Methods of the Security Council
Statement delivered by Ms. Katri Lõhmus, Deputy Permanent Representative of Estonia to the United Nations
19 August 2026, New York
Thank you, President.
Thank you for convening this important discussion today, and Ms Thompson for her insightful briefing.
Estonia aligns itself with the statement delivered by New Zealand on behalf of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group.
Allow me to add a few points in our national capacity.
First, the use of the veto and the threat of the use of the veto continue to be the main obstacles in preventing the Council from taking timely and decisive action in responding to atrocity crimes or serious violations of international law. Estonia reiterates its call to refrain from vetoing resolutions aimed at ending mass atrocities, in line with the France-Mexico proposal and the ACT code of conduct.
We also reiterate our call for the full application of Article 27 (3), of the Charter and its obligatory provision to abstain in cases where members of the Council are a party to a dispute. We believe that this obligation, stemming directly from the Charter, should be reflected in Note 507.
Secondly, the record-breaking delay in appointing chairs and co-chairs of the Council’s subsidiary bodies continues to hinder the work of the sanctions committees and working groups, weakening the Council’s ability to fulfil its mandate and implement its resolutions. We encourage the Council members to resolve this impasse, including by considering moving away from a package deal-approach, allowing the continuing members to continue serving as chairs or vice-chairs to step in as interim chairs.
Thirdly, we emphasize the importance of the Council’s visiting missions to their decision-making quality. Studying reports and listening to briefers in New York is important and valuable, yet it cannot substitute the first-hand information one receives on the ground through direct engagement with local communities, stakeholders or parties to the conflict. Given the financial constraints, the smaller and more targeted visiting missions could be considered. To further enhance their impact, the findings of such missions should be systematically incorporated into the Council’s subsequent discussions and decision-making.
Finally, Estonia continues to encourage the Council to ensure that the process of the selection of the next Secretary-General within the Council is transparent and inclusive. The General Assembly should be able to make an informed and meaningful decision on the appointment of the Secretary-General. We encourage the Council to suggest to the Assembly more than one candidate for its consideration. We further call the Council to consider to publicly announce the results of its straw polls, allowing both candidates as well as the Assembly to hear them directly from the Council.
President, to conclude.
There is a growing urgency of increasing the effectiveness of the Security Council and its ability to carry out its primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security. The credibility of this organization is on the line. I trust that the Council will work to implement improvements presented today on their working methods.
I thank you.
