Brazilian President Urges UN Security Council Reform, Reveals Reasons

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called for urgent reform of the United Nations, emphasising the need to overhaul the Security Council.

Lula da Silva made the remarks in India, on the sidelines of a five-day state visit during which he met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In addition to critical minerals and trade, the two leaders discussed cooperation in investment, defence, multilateralism, and global governance.

“We reaffirmed our commitment to reforming the UN, particularly the Security Council, so that it represents the interests of Global South nations, where Brazil and India are fitting candidates,” he said at a joint press conference with Modi on Sunday, 22 February 2026.

The Brazilian president added that 20 years ago, Brazil, India, Japan, and Germany formed the Group of Four (G-4), which has long advocated for the expansion of the Security Council.

“Expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership of the Security Council, including Brazil and India, is essential for the legitimacy and efficiency of global governance,” Lula said.

The Group of Four (G-4) comprises India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan, which are seeking permanent seats on the UN Security Council and whose levels of development are comparable to those of the current permanent members.

At the most recent G-4 meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, the foreign ministers called for Security Council reform and reaffirmed their mutual support.