Brief comparison between both Draft Resolutions on the topic Security Council for the 21st Century

Today at 12.15 delegates of the General Assembly member will discuss the topic Security Council for the 21st Century. Before the session, presiding officers accepted two draft resolution that were sponsored and signed by two group of countries. First group is concentrated around Uniting for Consensus group, the second group is a result of cooperation between African and G4 group and their supporters. In this article we present an overview and short comparison of the content of both Draft Resolutions.

1. Increase of permanent and non-permanent seats:

DR1: 

- No increase in permanent seats category, increase by 5 in category of non-permanent members.

- 8 non-permanent seats with a long-term mandate of 5 years, possibility of one immediate reelection.

- 7 non-permanent seats with a short-term mandate of  2 years, no possibility of reelection.

- 8 non-permanent seats should be distributed as follows: 2 from the African Group; 2 from the Asia-Pacific Group; 1 from the Eastern European Group; 2 from the Latin American and Caribbean Group; 1 from the Western Europe and Others Group.

- 7 non-permanent seats should be distributed as follows: 2 from the African Group; 1 from the Asia-Pacific Group; 2 from the Eastern European Group; 2 from the Latin American and Caribbean Group.

DR2:

- Increase in permanent seats category by 5, increase in category of non-permanent seats by 5

- 5 permanent seats should be distributed as follows: 1 for African States; 2 for Asian States; 1 for Latin American and Caribbean States; 1 for Western European and other States.

- 5 non-permanent seats should be distributed as follows: 2 for African States;

1 for Asian States; 1 for Eastern European States; 1 for Latin American and Caribbean States.

- Security Council needs 15 affirmative votes out of 25.

2. Veto right structure:

DR1:

- As it does not predict any increase in category of permanent seats, no new countries are delegated a right to veto.

- No change for countries that currently posses veto power.

DR2:

- No change in veto structure, new permanent members of Security Council do not posses veto power.

3. Working methods and procedures

DR1:

- Better access to information, including open briefings and interaction with all interested parties.

- Holding meetings in open format, while keeping closed meetings to a minimum.

- Inviting all interested and concerned parties to cooperate in the work of the Security Council.

- Increase of consultation and cooperation of the Security Council with regional organizations and countries in the region, which are concerned and affected by the matter discussed in the Security Council

- Allowing regional governmental organizations to participate, without vote, in the discussion of any question brought before the  Security Council.

DR2:

- More substantive exchanges of views among the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council.

- Urges for regular and timely consultations between members and non-members of the Security Council

- To enhance its cooperation and consultations on matters affecting the maintenance of international peace and security with the relevant regional organizations, arrangements and agencies, as well as with relevant non-governmental organizations.

- Calls the Security Council to meet in a public forum open to all Member States of the United Nations as a general rule. 

4. Relationship between General Assembly and Security Council

DR1:

- President of the Security Council and the President of the General Assembly hold periodical meetings and inform Member States about the outcomes.

- Additional meetings among the President of the Security Council, the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Economic and Social Council are also held periodically.

- Annual reports of the Security Council should be more comprehensive and with deeper analytical content.

- Allow the General Assembly to examine peacekeeping and security issues and make recommendations.

DR2:

- The General Assembly shall consider the matter immediately if the Security Council fails to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

- The General Assembly may vote on the matter of international peace and security that has previously been voted upon in the Security Council if it is requested by 12 Security Council members.

Luka Kavčič