Toward a More Inclusive Security Council: Challenges and Opportunities

In light of the 2024 UN Summit of the Future and its Pact for the Future, this timely conversation will explore ways to enhance the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) legitimacy and effectiveness in addressing 21st-century challenges.

This landmark discussion on reforming the UNSC, is hosted by the Women’s International Forum in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the State of Kuwait. Against the backdrop of mounting calls for change since the 1990s and the historic 2008 General Assembly Resolution 62/557, this event brings together distinguished experts to reimagine this cornerstone institution of global peace and security.

Our esteemed panelists will tackle the complex challenges of adapting the UNSC to today’s geopolitical realities, focusing on critical areas of reform such as expanding membership, revising veto powers, and strengthening regional representation, particularly for Africa and developing nations.

Distinguished Panelists:

H.E. Mr. Tareq Albanai

Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the United Nations in New York and Co-Chair of IGN on Security Council Reform

Ambassador Tareq M. A. M. Albanai is the Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the United Nations. From 2017 to 2022, he held key roles at Kuwait’s Permanent Mission to the UN, including Minister Plenipotentiary for Disarmament and Security Council Political Coordinator. Earlier, he was Head of the Political Affairs Desk in Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2011–2017) and Deputy Chief of Mission in Madrid (2009–2011). He also served in Kuwait’s embassies in Tehran (2004–2006, 2007–2009) and as an adviser on disarmament at the UN General Assembly (2006–2007).

Mr. Albanai holds a BA in international relations and psychology from George Washington University. He was appointed co-chair of the IGN in the 77th session and reappointed since.

H.E. Mr. Alexander Marschik

Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations in New York and Co-Chair of IGN on Security Council Reform

Prior to his current position, Mr. Marschik was Director-General for Bilateral Affairs and European Union-Common Foreign and Security Policy and Political Director in Austria’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs since 2018.

He previously served as Director-General for International Affairs and Political Director from 2015 to 2018, Ambassador to the European Union’s Political and Security Committee in Brussels (2011 to 2015) and Director for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation in the Austrian MFA (2007 to 2011). From 1999 – 2007 he served as Deputy Permanent Representative,

Political Coordinator and Legal Adviser of the Austrian Mission to the UN in New York. Before joining the Austrian diplomatic service, he taught international law at the University of Vienna (1989-1997). He has published several articles on international law, human rights and the United Nations (as “Axel” Marschik).

Mr. Richard Gowan

Director of UN and Multilateral Diplomacy at Crisis Group

Richard oversees Crisis Group’s advocacy work at the United Nations, liaising with diplomats and UN officials in New York. Richard was previously a Consulting Analyst with ICG in 2016 and 2017. He has worked with the European Council on Foreign Relations, New York University Center on International Cooperation and the Foreign Policy Centre (London). He has taught at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and Stanford in New York. He has also worked as a consultant for the organisations including UN Department of Political Affairs, the UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on International Migration, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Rasmussen Global, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Global Affairs Canada. From 2013 to 2019, he wrote a weekly column (“Diplomatic Fallout”) for World Politics Review.