Iran: Guardian of the United Nations Charter

TEHRAN (Iran News) The Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization is a specialized and permanent body within the framework of the United Nations.

Regarding its history, the Committee was established in 1974—five years before the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran—by the United Nations General Assembly.

Its formation stemmed from two separate initiatives in the late 1960s: one proposal by Colombia to review the Charter, and another by Romania to strengthen the role of the United Nations. These two tracks ultimately led to the creation of an Ad Hoc Committee, which in 1975 was transformed into the present Special Committee.

The Committee’s primary mission is to carefully examine proposals by Member States aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the commitments and decisions of the United Nations. However, such reviews must always take place within the framework of the United Nations Charter. In other words, the Committee seeks ways to better implement the provisions of the Charter and strengthen the Organization’s role in key areas.

Its responsibilities include:

Reviewing proposals and views of countries concerning the United Nations Charter.

Examining ways to strengthen the UN’s role in maintaining international peace and security, developing cooperation among nations, and promoting the rules of international law.

Compiling a list of proposals submitted and identifying those that enjoy broader support.

As the only permanent committee dedicated specifically to Charter-related matters, it holds special importance. Among the most significant issues on its agenda are:

Maintaining international peace and security: examining various aspects to strengthen the UN’s role.

Promoting methods such as negotiation, mediation, and international arbitration.

Reviewing the effects of Security Council sanctions on third countries and exploring ways to assist them.

Updating the Organization’s records and supervising the preparation and revision of two important sources: Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs and Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council, which function as the institutional memory of the Organization.

According to official UN reports, the Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently maintained an active presence in this Committee. Iran has not only participated as a member but has often represented the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), articulating the views of this large group of countries. For example, during the 71st (2016) and 72nd (2017) sessions of the General Assembly, Iran’s representative was identified as the spokesperson of the Non-Aligned Movement. This selection reflects other Member States’ trust in Iran’s legal diplomacy.

Now, Iran’s election as Vice-Chair and member of the Bureau indicates that at the Committee’s most recent session in New York, the Islamic Republic of Iran was chosen for these leadership roles. Such appointments within UN diplomacy carry significant weight and signify a more influential role for Iran in guiding the Committee’s agenda, facilitating negotiations, and setting priorities.

At the same time, this achievement demonstrates the country’s high level of expertise and diplomatic capacity in the field of international law, as recognized by other nations. Membership in the Bureau provides Iran with an opportunity to more effectively defend its interests and those of like-minded countries regarding key issues such as UN structural reform, the clarification of states’ lawlessness—particularly the United States’ use of sanctions—and peaceful settlement of disputes.

In committees such as the Special Committee on the Charter, members of the Bureau (including the Chair, Vice-Chairs, and Rapporteur) are generally elected by consensus, following informal consultations among regional groups. In other words, there is no formal recorded vote in which one can identify which countries voted “yes” for Iran.

Iran’s election therefore indicates that during consultations, there was no opposition from Member States. Moreover, under current circumstances—when the Trump administration seeks to further discredit the United Nations—this selection was accompanied by implicit approval and collective support of nations, reflecting the political significance and the underlying views of countries regarding Iran.

It should be acknowledged, however, that the primary reason for this collective agreement also lies in Iran’s active and constructive role within the Committee. Iran has a longstanding record of representing the Non-Aligned Movement as its spokesperson in Committee sessions. This diplomatic and legal capability has earned the confidence of other countries and convinced them that Iran can effectively contribute to guiding the Committee’s agenda.

Bureau positions in such committees are typically held for a one-year term, corresponding to the working year of the General Assembly, which begins each September. These terms are renewable, subject to consensus and agreement at the Committee’s subsequent annual meeting. Therefore, for Iran to retain this position next year, it must once again receive Member States’ approval.

The Impact of the Special Committee on the Charter

The Special Committee plays a subtle, specialized, and foundational role within the UN system. Its influence can be analyzed in several key areas:

1. A Platform for Safeguarding the Rule of Law

The Committee’s most important function is providing a specialized forum for interpreting and implementing the United Nations Charter accurately. At a time when the international order faces serious challenges, this Committee serves as a legal platform where fundamental principles—such as sovereign equality of states, prohibition of the use of force, and peaceful settlement of disputes—are supported and examined by experts.

In other words, by promoting these principles, the Committee contributes to strengthening the rule of law and preserving the credibility of the international legal system.

2. A Forum for Reviewing and Proposing Reforms

The Committee’s main mission is to review Member States’ proposals aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the United Nations within the framework of the Charter. This means that any idea for reforming UN structures or working methods undergoes preliminary legal examination in this Committee before further action.

Recently, António Guterres has issued warnings regarding the efficiency of the United Nations. Reform—particularly of the Security Council—remains a recurring and pressing issue in international forums. Although final decisions rest with the General Assembly and the Security Council, much of the preparatory and technical work is carried out in committees such as the Special Committee on the Charter. The Secretary-General has repeatedly emphasized the need for reforms to enhance efficiency, and this Committee is where that necessity is translated into legal language.

3. Institutional Memory of the United Nations

One of the Committee’s vital yet less visible responsibilities is overseeing the preparation and updating of two key documents:

Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs

Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council

These documents serve as the institutional memory of the United Nations, recording precedents in interpreting and applying Charter provisions. They are considered essential and authoritative resources for diplomats, legal scholars, and international judges at the International Court of Justice.

4. An Opportunity for Developing Countries

For countries such as Iran, this Committee provides an important platform to articulate their perspectives—and those of like-minded countries such as the Non-Aligned Movement—on fundamental issues of international law. Participation in the Bureau enables the Islamic Republic of Iran to play a more active role in steering these specialized discussions and to defend principles emphasized in the Charter, such as sovereign equality and non-intervention in domestic affairs, against emerging challenges.

In short, the Committee’s impact may be compared to that of a fundamental jurisprudential or constitutional council within a system. Its decisions may not be directly operational, but it establishes the framework and interpretations that other organs and states consider themselves bound to respect.