Namibia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Penda Naanda, reiterated the role of the AU model for the Security Council Reform in a quest for equitable representation within the UN system. 

Naanda said this during a plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly at the UN Headquarters.

Naanda said the African Reform Model gives practical expression to the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, which remains the sole legitimate framework articulating Africa's position in the Intergovernmental Negotiations. 

"It offers a coherent, comprehensive and forward-looking proposal that addresses the longstanding historical injustice suffered by Africa, which has been without representation in the permanent category of the Council despite constituting the largest regional grouping in the United Nations and being the subject of a significant proportion of the Council's agenda. Namibia calls for concrete actions to finally translate this unwavering and consequential support into tangible progress."

Naanda further underscored that Africa must be treated as a special case and a priority in the Security Council Reform, adding that the Pact for the Future, adopted in 2024, leaves no room for ambiguity. 

"The logical consequence of that commitment is that Africa's permanent and increased representation must remain central to any reform outcome and cannot be subordinated to competing interests or alternative arrangements. Any reform that seeks legitimacy and sustainability must respect and accommodate Africa's collective position and address the very historical injustice the organisation has pledged to correct."

Namibia welcomed the reappointment of the Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait and the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands as co-chairs of the intergovernmental negotiations.