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Wednesday | September 23, 2026 | Dhaka

UN reform vital to restore trust

Japan's Motegi urges early changes to Security Council
 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:56 AM, 23 September 2026

Japan has called for urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council to make the global body more representative of today’s international community, with Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi saying such changes are essential to restoring trust in the UN.

Motegi made the remarks during a meeting with Dr Khalilur Rahman, President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York on Monday.

The Japanese minister said he was counting on President Rahman’s leadership to help achieve early progress on UN reform.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the UN General
Assembly, lasted about 15 minutes, according to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the outset, Motegi congratulated Rahman on assuming the presidency of the General Assembly and expressed Japan’s intention to work with him to build a more resilient and effective United Nations.

Motegi stressed that “UN reform is essential for restoring trust in the United Nations” and said reforming the Security Council was urgently necessary so that it could better reflect the realities of the contemporary international community.

He also conveyed his expectation that Rahman would provide leadership towards the early realisation of the reform.

Rahman welcomed Motegi’s participation in the General Assembly and expressed his willingness to strengthen cooperation with Japan, particularly in emerging areas of global importance.

Motegi said Japan would further strengthen cooperation with the international community under the concept of human security to help build an inclusive society where “no one is left behind”.

He also underscored the importance Japan attaches to cooperation with the Office of the President of the General Assembly, reflecting Tokyo’s interest in working closely with the UNGA leadership on global governance issues.

In response, Rahman highlighted the importance of measures related to artificial intelligence and said he was prepared to work closely with Japan, including in the field of AI.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate on policies concerning North Korea, including its nuclear and missile programmes and the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.

The meeting took place as the 81st session of the General Assembly entered its high-level week, with world leaders gathering in New York to address global challenges and debate the future of multilateral cooperation.

The session is being conducted under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

Japan’s call for Security Council reform adds to the broader international discussion over how the UN system can become more representative and effective at a time of growing geopolitical and security challenges.

Rahman, who was elected president of the 81st General Assembly in June, is presiding over the session and its high-level meetings.