Portugal outlines UN Security Council priorities and seeks broader representation

Address to the General Assembly

Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Montenegro took the podium immediately following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While numerous international delegations walked out and Netanyahu received a mix of boos and applause, a single representative from the Portuguese delegation remained in the assembly hall during the Israeli address. Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel, Health Minister Ana Paula Martins, and Secretary of State Salvador Malheiro entered the hall just before Montenegro began speaking. In the opening remarks of his speech, Montenegro called for an immediate halt to civilian suffering in the Middle East and reiterated support for a negotiated peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

“In the Middle East, the humanitarian tragedy must cease and we must move towards a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine coexisting as two sovereign states in peace and security.”

Security Council reform and priorities

Montenegro dedicated much of his address to Portugal's upcoming term on the UN Security Council, set to begin on 1 January for the 2027–2028 biennium. Portugal earned the seat through a first-round vote that yielded the highest tally in the history of Portuguese candidacies for the body. Montenegro outlined a policy platform centered on three priorities: prevention of conflicts, cooperation through partnerships, and protection of fundamental human rights, food security, and vulnerable populations. He also urged structural reform of the Security Council, arguing that the body must become more representative by granting permanent seats to Africa, Brazil, and India. Additionally, Montenegro called for wider official use of the Portuguese language within UN institutions, noting that it represents nearly 300 million speakers worldwide and ranks as the most spoken language in the Southern Hemisphere.

“From January, Portugal will bring to the Security Council, as a non-permanent member, a global vocation and a culture of dialogue and bridge-building.”

Bilateral diplomacy on the sidelines

Parallel to the General Assembly speeches, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel conducted bilateral meetings on the sidelines in New York. On Wednesday, September 23, Rangel met with Timor-Leste Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas to review the recent Community of Portuguese Language Countries ministerial gathering held in Dili and align foreign policy objectives. Their talks also addressed Portugal's upcoming Security Council term, which opens in January with Portugal holding the rotating monthly presidency of the council. Rangel subsequently met with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia, discussing the large Portuguese-Venezuelan community and diplomatic engagement across Latin America.

“Keeping channels of dialogue open is essential. Also in the upcoming mandate on the UNSC, Portugal will remain available to build bridges, promote dialogue and contribute to a more stable, democratic and prosperous Venezuela.”

Mandate history and multilateral agenda

The upcoming 2027–2028 mandate represents Portugal's fourth period serving on the UN Security Council as an elected non-permanent member, following previous terms in 1979–1980, 1997–1998, and 2011–2012. Portugal has secured a seat on every occasion it has entered a candidacy for the council, running for the latest term under the official campaign slogan "Prevention, Partnership, Protection." In his broader General Assembly remarks, Montenegro called for collective responses to global challenges, pointing to the international energy crisis, poverty reduction, and multilateral cooperation across regional conflicts.