Distinguished Co-Chairs,
Thank you for convening us today. And, also for two important steps forward on modalities of this negotiation, namely, webcast and establishing a repository.
We all agree that the Council’s membership and structure as well as working methods are not in tune with the current realities on the ground. We reiterate that an expansion of the Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories is crucial to make this body more representative, legitimate, transparent, effective, and fit for purpose.
Co-Chairs and Distinguished delegates,
In the current composition of the Council, the ratio of elected seats to Member States has exponentially increased from 1:8 in 1945 to 1:19 at present. Merely expanding the membership of the Council would not ensure fair representation in the Council. We must revisit and adjust the ratios within regional groups to attain equitable representation. In our view, total size of the Council in the range of mid-twenties would perhaps do justice to the larger membership without harming its effectiveness. To this end, we reiterate the need for allocating the newly added seats to the Asia-Pacific and Africa as well as Latin America.
Expanding the Council should not hinder its ability to respond promptly to any threats to international peace and security. We, therefore, must strike a proper balance between increased representation and enhanced functionality of the Council.
Co-Chairs,
The working methods of the Council are of paramount importance and interest to all member states of the United Nations. To address evolving security challenges, it is crucial that the Council adopts fair, transparent, efficient, and effective working methods, as all member states have committed to accepting and carrying out its decisions under Article 25 of the UN Charter.
We acknowledge that considerable efforts and measures that have been taken in recent years to enhance the Council’s working methods. Nonetheless, these efforts have fallen short of the expectations of wider Members States.
In our view, a more accountable and transparent Council would be better placed to meet its core tasks of preventing and resolving conflicts. To that end, we believe that Council should strengthen its engagement with the wider UN membership. We call for more opportunities for the members of the General Assembly to engage with the Council’s work.
Improving coordination and cooperation between the Security Council and the UN’s principal organs is crucial. In this regard, the Council should enhance its interaction with the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and top troops and police contributing countries in preventing the recurrence of conflict and sustaining peace.
The council must assess the effectiveness of sanctions and ensure that sanctions do not have adverse humanitarian consequences for civilian populations nor adversely affect humanitarian activities carried out by humanitarian organizations.
To promote transparency, accountability, inclusivity, and effectiveness, the Council’s workload must be shared more evenly among all its members. This applies to penholderships, co-penholderships, the selection, and chairing of subsidiary bodies.
The annual reports of the Security Council should contribute to the much-needed transparency and accountability of decisions and measures taken by the Council. We renew our call that the Council should present an analytical and comprehensive annual report that goes beyond a simple compilation of its activities.
Co-Chairs and distinguished Colleagues,
We believe, the General Assembly, with 193 Member States representation, is a
symbol and practical manifestation of multilateralism. As outlined in the UN Charter, the relationship between the two bodies should be cooperative and collaborative. We are convinced that the two main organs of the UN can facilitate each other’s decision-making prerogatives effectively, complementing and reinforcing each other without prejudice to the fact that the General Assembly is the only UN body with universal representation.
To enhance its capacity for conflict prevention, the Security Council should leverage all available resources within the UN by enhancing stronger cooperation with the General Assembly. This can be achieved by establishing permanent mechanisms for consultation and information exchange to facilitate seamless collaboration between the two bodies. Through this approach, the Council can prevent duplication of efforts and ensure that it does not encroach upon the General Assembly’s mandate.
Let us work together towards a more effective, transparent, inclusive, representative Council for all.
I thank you.