Minderoo Foundation drives unprecedented UN Charter reform through never-before-used trigger

22 Sept 2025 – Minderoo Foundation has pledged A$1.7 million to support a global coalition mobilising to activate Article 109 of the United Nations Charter – a provision that, if triggered, could initiate the most comprehensive reform of the UN in its 80-year history.

Embedded in the UN Charter since its adoption in 1945, Article 109 has never been invoked. It allows for a General Conference to review and update the Charter, contingent on a two-thirds vote of the UN General Assembly and support from any nine members of the UN Security Council.

Minderoo’s funding will empower the newly formed Article 109 Coalition to mobilise UN Member States and build momentum for renewal of international cooperation. The coalition’s goal is to secure the necessary support to convene the conference and modernise the UN’s architecture, distribution of power and purpose.

“Imagine trying to drive today’s highways in a car built in the 1940s. That’s essentially how the UN is expected to navigate today’s global crises – using machinery designed eight decades ago,” Dr Andrew Forrest AO, Founder of Minderoo Foundation, said.

“We cannot solve today’s crises with yesterday’s tools. The UN must evolve to remain a credible force for peace, justice, and human dignity. This initiative is about creating the political space and momentum for that evolution to begin.”

Through the partnership with Minderoo and other funders, the Article 109 Coalition has established a dedicated Secretariat, and is scaling diplomatic outreach, while building global civil society support for UN Charter renewal.

“From Gaza to Sudan to Ukraine, the UN’s ability to respond effectively has been hampered by outdated structures and political gridlock — with devastating consequences for the world’s most vulnerable,” Dr Forrest said. “Our goal is to help ensure the UN is fit for purpose in the 21st century—capable of tackling global challenges like climate change, gender equality, artificial intelligence, and international peace and security.”

Minderoo Foundation CEO John Hartman said: “Reform cannot remain just a talking point. Minderoo Foundation’s support of the Article 109 Coalition reflects our broader commitment to addressing not only humanitarian crises but also the systemic failures that perpetuate them.”

The Article 109 Coalition was officially launched this week during commemorations marking the UN’s 80th anniversary.

Dr Forrest will join the former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson; the former Prime Minister of Zealand and UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark; the former Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander de Croo; the Director of the Article 109 Coalition, Heba Aly; and a select group of diplomats, UN officials, civil society representatives, philanthropists, and other leaders in the multilateral space to celebrate the launch of this transformative global campaign.

“Many of us get stuck in the belief that the status quo is inevitable. But it is up to us to try to create the future we want to see,” Heba Aly, Director of Article 109 Coalition, said. “We are grateful to Minderoo Foundation for having the courage and vision to invest in such a bold and ambitious campaign.

“In such depressing times, we hope our work gives people permission to dream once more, and to believe that a different reality is possible. Indeed, in recent months, we’ve seen a staggering level of momentum building towards renewal of the UN Charter – both from Member States and from civil society organisations, scholars, youth and global citizens demanding a more just and effective United Nations.”

As one of the Asia-Pacific’s leading philanthropic organisations, Minderoo Foundation has a unique role to champion bold, constructive reform from outside the traditional diplomatic arena – helping create the political space for governments to reimagine the future of multilateralism.

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