Paralysis, Shrinking Aid, Outdated Methods Highlight Need for Reform, Delegates Warn in Security Council

(Note: Owing to the financial liquidity crisis affecting the Organization and the ensuing constraints, full coverage of today's Security Council meeting will be available on Tuesday, 16 December.)

In a world far more complex than when it was founded 80 years ago, the United Nations risks irrelevance - or even collapse - if its next leader lacks the courage, flexibility and commitment needed to drive urgent Security Council reform, that organ heard today during a debate on the selection process for what is often called "the most impossible job in the world".

Dozens of speakers from across the UN joined the 15-member Council in noting the perils awaiting the new Secretary-General, who is slated to take office in January 2027. While many delegates in the debate titled "Leadership for Peace" cited the existential threat to the UN's credibility posed by the Council's paralysis, many also pointed to shrinking aid budgets and outdated UN working methods as major concerns.

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Complete Live Blog coverage of today's meeting can be found here.