Kuwait Calls for UN Security Council Reform and Enhanced Fair Representation - Sarmad

(KUNA) – Kuwait reaffirmed the importance of moving forward with reforms to the UN Security Council to enhance fair representation of member states, address historical imbalances in its composition, and make it more representative, effective, and capable of fulfilling its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security.

The Permanent Mission of Kuwait to the United Nations stated in a press release that this position was expressed by Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Tariq Al-Banna, in his capacity as one of the Co-Chairs of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform, during the 14th Ministerial Meeting of the African Union’s Committee of Ten on Security Council Reform, held in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

The meeting was held yesterday, Monday, co-hosted by the Republic of Sierra Leone, as Coordinator of the Committee of Ten, and the State of Libya, as the host country, with participation from the Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN, Ambassador Liesje Schrijver van Haaren.

Al-Banna emphasized the necessity of addressing the historical injustice suffered by the African continent due to its lack of representation in the permanent membership category of the Security Council and its underrepresentation in the non-permanent membership category, highlighting the importance that the Council’s composition reflect contemporary geopolitical realities and the aspirations of member states.

He welcomed the African model presented by Sierra Leone during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, based on the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, which calls for granting Africa at least two permanent seats with all the powers of permanent membership, along with a total of five non-permanent seats.

He clarified that the African position opposes the use of the veto in principle, but calls for granting new permanent members the same rights and privileges enjoyed by current permanent members if the veto is retained, while noting the role of the African Union in selecting the continent’s representatives for election by the General Assembly.

Al-Banna added that the idea of fixed regional seats has emerged as a potential compromise formula between states demanding expansion of the permanent membership category and those favoring limiting expansion to non-permanent seats.

He noted that this formula involves adding between six and seven seats distributed on a regional basis, such that the General Assembly would elect countries to occupy these seats for terms longer than the current two-year period, with the possibility of renewal and re-election for two additional terms, thereby enhancing institutional continuity and maintaining accountability through periodic elections.

He continued, stating that the proposed seats would enjoy the same powers granted to current permanent members, including the veto, with the total number of Council members ranging between 21 and 22, and including a mechanism for periodic review to assess the new arrangements.

He emphasized that these elements are primarily open for discussion, and that any compromise options must take the African position seriously and consider the continent’s demands for representation in both the permanent and non-permanent membership categories.

He pointed out that the Pact for the Future has bolstered the political momentum for Security Council reform by acknowledging the priority of addressing the historical injustice suffered by Africa and encouraging member states to propose and refine reform models with the aim of reaching common ground.

Al-Banna acknowledged the continued fundamental divisions among member states regarding the expansion of both the permanent and non-permanent membership categories, warning that negotiations have not yet reached the stage of consensus on a unified reform model.

He emphasized the importance of demonstrating flexibility and exploring areas of convergence among the various proposals, in order to contribute to reaching a reform that enjoys broad support and enhances the legitimacy and effectiveness of the Security Council.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Co-Chairs provided ministers with a briefing on the latest developments in the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform, including the proposal submitted by them. Views were exchanged on ways to advance the reform process, with emphasis placed on the legitimate African aspirations for fair representation on the Council.

The meeting was chaired by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mohamed Rahman Sowary, and Libya’s Chargé d’Affaires for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Taher Salem Al-Ba’our.