Portugal for the United Nations Security Council
Portugal for the United Nations Security Council
Portugal is a candidate for the United Nations Security Council 2027-2028.
LUÍS MONTENEGRO
PORTUGUESE PRIME MINISTER
Our world is facing major global challenges that are transnational in nature and increasingly complex: from rising tensions and conflict to growing insecurity caused by new and emerging threats. These challenges cannot be tackled by any single government or institution acting alone. Multilateralism and multilateral diplomacy are more necessary than ever. As the main international body responsible for maintaining peace and security in the world, we need a Security Council that lives up to its mission. We need a Security Council fit for today, with an eye on the future.
Multilateralism is at the core of Portugal’s foreign policy. From its relentless defense of the sustainability of our oceans to its active promotion of economic and social rights, from its commitment to upholding international law to its development cooperation, Portugal is a reliable and consistent partner at the UN. International security is no exception. Having contributed over twenty thousand personnel to UN Peacekeeping Missions over the last 65 years, we are a net provider of security.
We have served on the Security Council before and we are ready to serve once more. Our values and our principles have not changed. As before, we are strongly committed to defending the UN Charter, upholding international law, and strengthening peacekeeping. We will do so by listening to everyone’s concerns, with independence, empathy and fairness.
But we also need to adapt. If elected, Portugal will invest in preventive diplomacy. We will deepen the Council’s work on threat multipliers such as climate change, rising sea-levels or poverty and social exclusion. At the same time, we will promote a more transparent and open Council that works more closely with other UN bodies and serves the interests of all countries alike.
With your support, Portugal will advocate for a Security Council that is fit for purpose:Preventing conflict, Partnering with all, Protecting peace.
There is no peace without a comprehensive approach to the three pillars of the United Nations. Portugal will continue to uphold the importance of mediation and preventive diplomacy. This includes strengthening common approaches to sustain peace, throughout the peace continuum, in line with the New Agenda for Peace.
Climate change is heightening the risk of population displacement, social unrest and political instability. If elected, Portugal will defend further normative work around the climate-peace-security nexus, considering in particular the specific role of oceans and the impacts of rising sea levels on international peace and security, consistent with the outcomes of the work carried out by the International Law Commission.
Combatting poverty and exclusion fosters stability and reduces the chances of conflict. Portugal will continue to highlight how investing in the inclusion of persons in vulnerable and marginalised situations contributes to peace. We will also continue to support the advancement of agendas such as “Women, Peace and Security”, “Youth, Peace and Security” and “Children and Armed Conflict”.
The Security Council cannot be closed down on itself. Portugal will continue to advocate for more regular dialogue and strengthened cooperation with the General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies, including the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council, as well as the Economic and Social Council and regional and sub-regional organizations.
The Security Council must be more representative and more transparent. Portugal will continue to advocate for its longstanding positions on these two issues. Regarding representation, Portugal supports an expansion of both categories of membership, permanent and non-permanent members, as well as greater opportunities for middle and small-sized countries, especially developing countries. Regarding transparency, Portugal supports more open and public meetings and greater scrutiny on the use of the veto, in line with the ACT Code of Conduct.
The Security Council needs members who listen. Portugal is a reliable partner, with a consistent foreign policy. It remains true to its tradition as an honest broker and as a bridge-builder, by continuing to work in dialogue, fostering trust, respecting the principle of equality of all States, and by promoting consensus-based solutions.
The UN Charter and international law are the very foundation of effective multilateralism and of global peace. Portugal defends the promotion of and respect for international law, as well as its consistent implementation.
The traditional architecture of peacekeeping must be revitalized. Portugal favours strengthening the peacekeeping toolkit of the UN to address evolving challenges, including countering terrorism and reaffirming the importance of peace enforcement. Peace operations are critical tools to maintain international peace and security, but they need to adapt, considering the needs of all Member States.
New and emerging challenges to international peace must not be ignored. Portugal will advocate for greater attention to the technology-security nexus and to issues such as the automatization of weapons, biosecurity, outer space, cyberspace, maritime security and disinformation, while also seeking to book further progress in areas such as counterterrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation.
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