More non-permanent seats, abolition of veto and change of SC working methods?

As we already reported African Union and G4 group were preparing working paper on Security Council reform last week. Yesterday we received a joint media statement by another working group that is really interested in the process of reforming current Security Council structure - Uniting for Consensus. Delegates of Turkey, Mexico, Spain, South Korea and Italy met also in previous days to write down the working paper with their own prepositions that may be included in possible draft resolution. Working papers had to be submitted to presiding officers till midnight.

"Uniting for Consensus group will continue to emphasize the importance of more representative, accountable and efficient Security Council," was their main idea while constructing the working paper. In order to achieve this, their emphasis was put on increasing the number of non-permanent seats. They did not tell about the exact number or regional distribution of these seats. However, we expect that this is achievable since almost all the countries recognized the need for expansion.

Second and third main goal of UfC are set very optimistic though. "Our long-term goal is the abolition
of veto, but we are aware that there is a long and weight-bearing process in front of us," is of the ideas that can be expected in the working paper. It will be interesting to see, what answer will P5 group prepare in case this will be discussed. Last goal is the change of working methods between Security Council and General Assembly, however we did not receive more detailed explanation on this proposal.

Luka Kavčič

Bellow you can find whole media statement by UfC:

UfC meeting: media statement

On Tuesday April 7^th 2013 Uniting for Consensus group (UfC) had another formal meeting, which was held at the Faculty of Social Sciences. All distinguished UfC delegations represented in 2013 Session of the General Assembly UN were invited. Meeting was attended by the delegations of Turkey, Mexico, Spain, South Korea and Italy. Delegation of Argentina was unfortunately unable to attend the meeting, but sent us her deepest apologies.

This meeting was dedicated to writing the working paper on the last topic on the agenda of the 2013 sessions of the General Assembly – reform of the Security Council. Uniting for Consensus group will continue to emphasize the importance of more representative, accountable and efficient Security Council. We believe this can be reached only through enlargement of the Security Council, in particular with increase of non-permanent membership. Secondly, we believe permanent members of the Security Council have to use their right to veto more responsibly. As already known, our long-term goal is the abolition of veto, but we are aware that there is a long and weight-bearing process in front of us, if we want to reach this goal. Furthermore, we believe that working methods of the Security Council, and the relationship between Security Council and General Assembly have to be changed. These beliefs will be reflected also in our working paper.

Uniting for Consensus group has already started negotiations with other delegations. Unfortunately it seems that states have very different beliefs and goals regarding Security Council reform. We are expecting very heated and intense debate at the next session of the General Assemmbly.