Informal Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on "The Question of Equitable Representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Council" (11 February 2015)

Statement by Ambassador Sahebzada A. Khan, Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan

Mr. Chairman,

Let me first thank you for taking the initiative to convene a preliminary meeting. We appreciate your sagacious approach and desire to afford the membership an opportunity to exchange views on how to best structure our work before resuming the Inter-Governmental Negotiations.

We are also thankful to the President of the General Assembly for addressing this meeting and sharing his views on the subject.

Pakistan aligns itself with the statement delivered by Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi of Italy on behalf of the Uniting for Consensus (UfC).

Mr. Chairman,

The Security Council, as an important organ of the United Nations, is inspired by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. Any reform of this body should strengthen the ideals espoused by the UN Charter and not undermine them.

Pakistan has therefore always supported a comprehensive reform of the Security Council, in line with decision 62/557 - a reform that should make the Council more democratic, inclusive, transparent and accountable.

Mr. Chairman,

The Security Council has been blamed time and again for lack of effectiveness at crucial times in our history. We are all aware of how the composition and working methods of the Council affect its ability to maintain international peace and security.

The process of Inter-Governmental Negotiations provides us an opportunity to lay down a framework that can serve to strengthen the Council's effectiveness by making it more transparent and accountable to the wider membership of the United Nations. This ought to be the goal of our effort. We regret that this process has unfortunately been held hostage by a few States who seek a special status for themselves, irrespective of how it would affect the working of the Security Council. Their intransigence and inflexibility has caused a stalemate for far too long.

Mr. Chairman,

On the contrary, Pakistan and the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) Group have not just advocated compromise and flexibility but have also demonstrated them. We have presented various ideas on making the Council more representative and transparent as well as ensuring its relevance to the current global realities. We believe that only periodic elections can make the representation in the Council more equitable and accountable. It is also the only democratic way to reflect the aspirations of the general membership while enhancing the Security Council’s effectiveness and credibility.

Mr. Chairman,

I shall highlight a few 'lessons learnt' with suggestions on way forward. There would also be a few reminders for all so that we stay the course to reach our common goals and aspirations,; and also build momentum and break the glacial pace:

  1. There are no short cuts to the reform process; and showdowns and repetitions of positions have not been helpful;
  2. Ignoring the comprehensive nature of reform and inter-linkages of the five key issues (categories of membership; veto; regional representation; size and working methods; and relationship of the Security Council with the General Assembly) spelled out in decision 62/557, have caused stalemates;
  3. Pursuance of single point agendas are detrimental to consensus among the membership;
  4. We agree that momentum, catalyst and impetus is required. But let me remind that this is a process and not a race. Therefore, pre-defined finish lines and artificial deadlines do not help our cause;
  5. Furthermore, Artificially generated momentum through majority-minority calculi undermine the spirit of flexibility and compromise;
  6. Proposals and recommendations that have not been mandated or agreed upon by the membership cannot form a basis for further work; and most importantly,
  7. We can only move forward through genuine political will and compromise. In the words of the President of the 62nd Session of the General Assembly "the speed at which we proceed should not be conditioned by the authority of the leadership, but rather by the political will of the member states".

Mr. Chairman,

In the IGN process on Security Council reform, the membership is bound by the unanimous decision of the General Assembly - 62/557 and the principles agreed therein; I would only say that a sustainable momentum, with flexibility and constructive patience is the correct way towards progress.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.