Addis Ababa, September 24, 2026 (FMC) — President Taye Atske-Selassie has renewed Ethiopia’s call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council, insisting that Africa must no longer be denied equal representation in global decision-making.
Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly, President Taye underscored that UN reform must be anchored in the principles of equality and justice, reflecting the realities of today’s world and the aspirations of its peoples.
He stressed that Africa has waited too long in the shadow of global decision-making, calling for immediate action to correct the longstanding imbalance in the international system.
“With genuine political goodwill, how can a world with the right conscience justify the denial of 1.6 billion Africans the right to equal representation?” he asked.
President Taye described Africa’s demand for fair representation as a generational quest for truth and morality, emphasizing that the continent’s voice must be meaningfully reflected in decisions shaping global peace, security and development.
His remarks reaffirmed Ethiopia’s longstanding position that a reformed United Nations must uphold sovereign equality and ensure that Africa participates fully in the institutions responsible for addressing shared global challenges.
The President’s address came as world leaders convened in New York for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.” Ethiopia’s delegation, led by President Taye, is undertaking bilateral and multilateral engagements on the margins of the session, advancing national and African priorities.