In New York, the Prime Minister of Barbados is calling for a reform of the multilateral system. Addressing the UN General Assembly, Mia Amor Mottley argues that structures inherited from 1945 no longer reflect the realities of today’s world. She is calling for more equitable representation on the Security Council and reforms to development financing.
On September 24, 2026, Mia Amor Mottley denounced a “crisis of accountability” within the international system. For the Barbadian leader, global governance must evolve to better reflect today’s geopolitical realities and vulnerabilities. At the heart of her demands is reform of the UN Security Council. The body has 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power. Mottley particularly criticized the absence of a permanent seat for Africa and called for more equitable representation of underrepresented regions.
“The Security Council still has 15 members, five of them permanent and armed with that veto. Africa, with 54 states, has no permanent seat.”
Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister – Barbados
The Prime Minister also highlights the vulnerability of small states. In the Caribbean, she reiterates the need to preserve the region as a zone of peace and supports a peaceful resolution of the dispute between Guyana and Venezuela before the International Court of Justice. On the financial front, the situation is equally concerning. Vulnerable countries would need around USD 490 billion annually by 2030, compared with just USD 90 billion in funding currently mobilized. Mottley is therefore calling for more accessible and sustainable financing.
“The climate vulnerable countries need to mobilise approximately USD 490 billion each year by 2030 and yet the current inflows are roughly USD 90 billion. As the young people in Barbados would say, the math simply ain’t mathing.”
Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister – Barbados
Through the Bridgetown Initiative, the Barbadian leader is calling for more accessible financing for vulnerable countries, particularly in the face of climate change. She is also calling for reforms to the UN and the global financial system to better represent and protect the world’s most vulnerable states.
