Article 109 Coalition launches at UNGA

(Re)introducing Article 109: For a Renewed UN Charter

This week, a diverse network of global citizens, diplomats, UN officials, scholars, philanthropists, journalists, and civil society organizations launched Article 109 (formerly known as the UN Charter Reform Coalition), an international coalition mobilizing to activate one of the United Nations’ most powerful, but long-dormant, mechanisms for reform: the UN Charter Review Conference outlined in Article 109 of the UN Charter.

From the launch event at UNGA. Left to right: Ambassador to Switzerland and The Gambia’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Muhammadou M.O. Kah, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former UNDP Administrator Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander de Croo, Article 109 Director Heba Aly.

What is Article 109?

When the UN Charter was signed in 1945, its drafters envisioned it as a living document, able to evolve with global needs. Article 109 allows for a “General Conference… for the purpose of reviewing the present Charter,” to be convened by a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly and any nine members of the Security Council.

The process is inherently inclusive: all 193 UN Member States participate on equal footing, with one vote each. 

At such a conference, delegates could address overdue revisions, from legacy updates (e.g., references to Japan and Germany as “enemy states”) to normative upgrades (eg. gender equality and environmental protection) to structural changes (eg. reforming the Security Council, creating a UN Parliamentary Assembly, or establishing a Climate Council). 

Why Now?

The world faces converging crises: climate change, nuclear risk, rapid artificial intelligence development, rising authoritarianism, violent conflicts, pandemics, and waning trust in institutions. Member States have long voiced frustration with the UN system, particularly the Security Council’s ineffectiveness and lack of representation.

Article 109 offers a legitimate, built-in pathway to systemic reform—one capable of renewing multilateralism for the 21st century.

Introducing the Article 109 Coalition

Supported by the Global Challenges Foundation, among others, the Coalition’s mission is to educate, advocate and mobilize for activating Article 109. Its work focuses on three priorities:

1. Mobilizing Member States – by clarifying the Charter review process, addressing concerns, and building coalitions of like-minded states.
2. Building a movement – by connecting civil society groups, scholars, policy experts, and global citizens to advocate collectively for a fairer, more effective UN.
3. Framing the conversation – by convening, providing through leadership, and normalising the idea of renewing the UN Charter in the media and policy discourse. 

Launching a Transformative Campaign

The official launch of Article 109 on 22 September coincided with the High-Level Week of the annual UN General Assembly in New York. It featured former Heads of State and outlined a roadmap toward a modern, representative, and effective UN.

This campaign is not only about reforming the UN but about renewing the promise of multilateralism for the 21^st century. By tackling the root cause of many of the challenges we are collectively working on, the Article 109 Coalition seeks to unite efforts across peace and security, nuclear disarmament, climate action, strengthening international courts, and civic participation.

In doing so, it offers a platform to unlock long-siloed innovations in global governance and bring us all together under a shared call for the international architecture we need and deserve. For more, sign up for the Article 109 mailing list or consider joining the Coalition.