At this year’s UN General Assembly (UNGA80), a new coalition is launching with a singular focus: activating Article 109 of the UN Charter.
This rarely discussed provision, embedded in 1945, has never been invoked – but if triggered, it could open the door to the most comprehensive reform of the United Nations in its history.
The global governance architecture created in the aftermath of the Second World War requires renewal to remain effective in the 21st century.
Structural constraints and shifting geopolitical realities have at times limited the UN’s ability to respond at the scale required to some of the most pressing issues of our time – from climate change and gender equality to artificial intelligence and international peace and security.
The activation of Article 109 would allow for a General Conference to review and update the Charter, contingent on a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly and the support of nine members of the Security Council.
This process represents not just a procedural innovation, but an opportunity grounded in the UN Charter itself to reinforce the Organisation’s mandate with today’s challenges and tomorrow’s risks.
The Article 109 Coalition is being established to create the political momentum for this historic step.
With support from Minderoo Foundation and other partners, the Coalition has set up a dedicated Secretariat and is scaling diplomatic engagement across regions, alongside mobilising civil society, scholars, and youth constituencies.
As Dr Andrew Forrest, founder of Minderoo Foundation, noted: “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.
For Member States, this initiative presents a chance to lead a conversation that is no longer avoidable.
Reform is not about questioning the UN’s value – it is about strengthening its capacity as the world’s central multilateral forum. Modernisation will reinforce its credibility and effectiveness in responding to global challenges.
The Article 109 Coalition will formally launch at UNGA80, with the participation of figures including Mary Robinson, Helen Clark, Alexander de Croo, and Heba Aly. Their leadership underscores the seriousness of the effort and the growing demand for a credible, modernised UN Charter.
As Heba Aly, Director of the Coalition, observed:
Minderoo Foundation’s support reflects its commitment not only to addressing humanitarian crises but also to tackling the systemic barriers that perpetuate them.
By backing the activation of Article 109, we seek to provide governments and diplomats with the political space to reimagine the United Nations, ensuring it remains central, legitimate, and effective as the cornerstone of multilateral cooperation in the decades ahead.