Addressing a Security Council session, held in New York on December 15 to discuss the qualities required of any future UN secretary general, Saeed Iravani emphasized the central role of the UN Charter in guiding the organization’s leadership.

In his remarks, the Iranian envoy also highlighted the responsibilities vested in the secretary general under the UN Charter, underscored the need for moral courage and institutional independence, and called for decisive action in defending international law, sovereign equality, and the rights of the UN member states.

What follows is the full text of his speech:

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Thank you, Madam President, for convening this timely open debate on leadership for peace. I would like to highlight three points:

First, on Article 99 of the Charter: Article 99 remains one of the most powerful tools at the Secretary General’s disposal.  However, over the past two years, as the world witnessed the genocidal war and grave war crimes committed by the Israeli regime in Gaza, the killing of UN humanitarian personnel and UN peacekeepers, and acts of aggression against regional countries, the Council remained paralyzed by the veto of a permanent member. In these critical moments, the exceptional authority entrusted to the Secretary General under Article 99 of the Charter has not been exercised fully, in a timely manner, or with the rigor required by the circumstances.

Second, on Article 100 and the qualities required of the next Secretary General: The next Secretary General must represent independence, integrity, and courage, and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter. Article 100 safeguards the independence and impartiality of the Secretary General and the Secretariat. 

A candidate who has deliberately failed to uphold the UN Charter—or to condemn unlawful military attacks against safeguarded, peaceful nuclear facilities, in clear violation of international law and in direct contradiction to the statute, mandate, and responsibilities of the organ he leads—fundamentally undermines confidence in his ability to serve as a faithful guardian of the Charter and to discharge his duties independently, impartially, and without political bias or fear of powerful States, as required under the Charter.

Third, on Article 105 and the protection of Member State representatives: The Secretary General has a clear and non-derogable responsibility—including arising from the letter and the spirit of Article 105 of the Charter—to safeguard the rights and privileges of representatives and to ensure the full and equal participation of all Member States, consistent with the principle of sovereign equality enshrined in Article 2 of the Charter. These protections are not symbolic; they constitute legally binding obligations upon the host country. Where such rights are violated—through restrictions on movement, denial of visas, harassment, or any form of interference—the Secretary General must respond decisively, transparently, and without selectivity, using all available legal and institutional tools. Failure to do so weakens the United Nations and erodes the principle of sovereign equality at the heart of the UN system.

We look forward to a transparent and inclusive selection process, to engaging in meaningful discussions throughout this process, and to working with the next Secretary General to advance peace, justice, and the purposes and principles of the Charter.

Thank you.