Portugal co-hosts with Bahrein and DPPA an event on transparency in the working methods of the Security Council
Portugal co-hosted, together with the Kingdom of Bahrain and the UN Secretariat (DPPA/SCAD), an event on the working methods of the Security Council, bringing together around 70 participants from Member State delegations and the UN system.
The event marked the launch of the 27th Supplement of the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council, covering the Council’s work in 2024, and the presentation of a new interactive voting records dashboard. These tools help Member States better understand how the Council interprets the UN Charter, how its working methods evolve, and how voting patterns shape decision-making.
In his remarks, Portugal’s Permanent Representative underlined that the credibility of the Security Council depends not only on the decisions it takes, but also on how it works. Portugal recalled its long-standing engagement on transparency and working methods, including its role as Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions in 2012 and as a founding member of the ACT Group in 2013.
The UN Secretariat showcased a range of analytical tools developed by SCAD, including dashboards on voting trends, veto use, participation of non-Council members, and informal working formats. Particular attention was given to the new voting records tool, currently covering votes since 1992, with plans to extend it back to 1946.
The discussion highlighted the importance of transparency, data-driven analysis and institutional memory in strengthening trust in the Security Council. For Portugal, co-hosting this initiative reflects a consistent commitment to open, inclusive and effective multilateralism, in line with its candidacy to the UN Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.
More information can be found here:
https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/repertoire/structure
https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/voting-records-1992
