Madam President,
Let me begin by congratulating the newly elected members of the Security Council, namely, Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and United Arab Emirates. We wish all of them a successful tenure in the Council and we look forward to working closely with them.
Madam President,
Bangladesh welcomes the holding of today’s plenary meeting to consider the annual report of the Security Council for 2021 as contained in document A/75/2. I wish to thank the Permanent Representative of Estonia for the presentation of the annual report.
It is absolutely critical that there is regular interaction between the two most important organs of the UN. Such interactions are mutually beneficial, and an inclusive process of interaction and reporting will contribute to strengthening the multilateral system. Reporting is also a crucial mechanism to ensure accountability and transparency.
We call upon the Council to be more transparent, inclusive, innovative and accountable in its work, so that it could address the integrated nature of today’s varied and multifaceted security threats. In this regard, we would like to see more and frequent exchanges among the member states and non-member states. We particularly like to see more opportunity for affected countries to participate in Council’s deliberations.
It is important for the Security Council and the General Assembly to work together and to support each other, recognizing that the latter is the only UN organ with universal representation, and has the primary responsibility, scope and ability to achieve our common vision of peace, development and stability around the world.
Madam President,
We appreciate the fact that the report is being presented this year earlier despite limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, we note with regret that the present report continues to lack in constructive analysis. It represents merely a statistical compilation of events, listing of meetings and outcome documents. The report does not provide the kind of insightful analysis that is expected on critical issues before the Council that are of equal importance to the larger membership. This should not be just an exercise of mere formality, but of substance.
There should be interaction in the real sense between the most representative organ of the United Nations and the most empowered organ. We underscore the importance of full disclosure in the report on how views of the non-Member States are incorporated in the work of the Security Council. In fact, it is imperative to ensure the participation of affected countries in the Council’s meetings and debates on issues that concerns them.
Madam President,
We propose that the annual report should give a summary of the votes cast throughout the year and the vetoes used during that year. The veto is a special privilege, and it must be exercised with special responsibilities, including accountability and judicious application. Aside from the veto, we also propose that the report should contain an analysis of non-consensual decisions, and of decisions that failed to be adopted.
We are encouraged to see the increased efforts of the Security Council on key thematic issues, including women peace and security, protection of civilians, conflict prevention and sustaining peace, and drivers of conflict such as hunger, climate and scarce natural resources. However, mainstreaming these thematic priorities across individual country situations remains a work in progress.
Madam President,
The annual report of the Security Council is an important contribution for ensuring the credibility and legitimacy of the Council. We look forward to a report with high-quality information of the activities of the Council which will help advance the transparency and effectiveness of the Council.
I thank you, Mr. President.