Excellencies, Distinguished Ministers, Heads of Delegation, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Federal Republic of Somalia is honoured to address this discussion on strengthening Africa’s voice in the United Nations Security Council through the African Union Peace and Security Council and the A3 coordination framework.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the African Union, our partners, and particularly to Sierra Leone for its leadership of the C10 initiative. Their work on the new policy document, building upon the Ezulweni Consensus, represents a significant step forward in articulating a coherent African position on Security Council reform and in promoting the continent’s interests globally.

Somalia reaffirms that the continent urgently needs more non-permanent seats to reflect its growing population, contributions to peace and security, and its role in global governance. We also continue to advocate for bold reform measures, including the abolition of the veto in its totality, to ensure that decisions on peace, security, and human protection are guided by fairness, equity, and the collective interests of the international community.

Moving forward, Somalia believes that the AU PSC and A3 must deepen their coordination, ensure timely and consistent consultation, and leverage successes such as the C10 initiative to present Africa’s demands with clarity, unity, and strength. By doing so, we can secure meaningful UNSC reform that reflects the continent’s rightful place in global decision-making and enhances Africa’s capacity to shape international peace and security.

The need to reform the United Nations Security Council is particularly urgent for Africa. When the Council was first established, the vast majority of African states were still under colonial rule and denied full sovereignty. As a result, Africa’s interests, perspectives, and contributions to international peace and security were not represented in the Council’s structure or decision-making.

Today, with a continent of over 1.4 billion people, significant contributions to UN peacekeeping, and growing political and economic influence, Africa continues to be underrepresented and its voice constrained. Meaningful reform, through increased seats, equitable representation, and reconsideration of the veto, remains essential to ensure that African priorities are heard, respected, and integrated into global decisions affecting peace, security, and sustainable development.

Somalia stands ready to work closely with all African Member States, the A3, and the AU PSC to advance these reforms, defend African interests, and ensure that Africa speaks with one strong, credible, and coordinated voice.

We live in a rapidly changing world. Therefore, for us to contribute to global progress while also protecting our own interests, we must move beyond blaming ourselves and focusing on our internal differences. Instead, we should concentrate on what we want, how we want the world to be, and how we want Africans to live.

Thank you.