Bahrain has called for stronger international cooperation to defend the United Nations Charter, warning that widening conflicts, maritime threats, food insecurity, displacement and fast-moving technological risks are testing the credibility of the global security system.Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered the message at a high-level open debate of the United Nations Security Council in New York on upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and maintaining international peace and security. The session was chaired by Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council for May.
Al Zayani reaffirmed Bahrain’s support for the central principles of the Charter, including respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes and rejection of the use of force except in accordance with international law. His intervention placed Bahrain’s diplomacy firmly within a broader push by smaller and medium-sized states to preserve a rules-based order at a time when the Council remains divided over major wars and enforcement powers.
The debate drew senior participation from UN member states and was addressed by Secretary-General António Guterres, who described the Charter as a “survival guide for humanity” and urged states to place diplomacy, restraint and international law above unilateral action. The meeting came as the Council faces criticism over deadlock on Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, the Gulf region and other crises where civilian protection and humanitarian access have become central tests of multilateral authority.
Bahrain’s remarks reflected the priorities of its 2026-2027 term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. The kingdom formally took its seat in January after securing 186 votes in the General Assembly election, one of the strongest endorsements among the five states chosen for the two-year term. Its Council role has given Manama a more visible platform on maritime security, regional de-escalation and institutional reform.
Al Zayani said international peace and security could not be protected through statements alone, arguing that the UN system needed practical mechanisms capable of responding to crises before they widened. He pointed to the humanitarian and economic effects of continuing conflicts, including pressure on global food supplies, rising displacement and the risk of instability spreading across borders.
Maritime security formed a central part of Bahrain’s position. The kingdom has repeatedly stressed the importance of freedom of navigation in strategic waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Disruptions in the Gulf region have sharpened concerns over shipping routes, insurance costs, energy markets and the ability of the Council to act before regional disputes acquire wider economic consequences.
Bahrain also linked traditional security risks with emerging challenges such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence governance and online extremism. Al Zayani’s intervention underlined that threats to peace now extend beyond armed conflict and territorial disputes, requiring cooperation among governments, technology platforms and international institutions. The emphasis on artificial intelligence placed Bahrain alongside states pressing for stronger global norms on new technologies without allowing regulation to become a tool for exclusion or geopolitical rivalry.
The kingdom’s stance also highlighted its effort to position itself as a bridge between Gulf security concerns and wider UN reform debates. Bahrain is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, giving it several diplomatic channels through which to build support for collective action. Its message at the Council combined regional priorities with a broader appeal for institutional renewal.
Al Zayani backed comprehensive reform of the United Nations system, including the Security Council, to make it more reflective of current geopolitical realities and more effective in carrying out its mandate. Calls for reform have gained momentum as many member states argue that the Council’s composition and veto structure no longer match the distribution of population, economic power or conflict exposure across the world.
The debate also showed the continuing divide among major powers over how Charter principles should be applied. China and Russia have placed greater emphasis on sovereignty and non-interference, while Western powers have argued that territorial integrity, civilian protection and accountability must remain central to the Charter’s meaning. Many elected Council members have sought to move the discussion towards practical outcomes, including preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding and stronger humanitarian access.
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