A ministerial-level meeting of the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) Group on Tuesday, reaffirmed its opposition to any expansion in the permanent members on the UN Security Council, and urged all member states to engage in a “more flexible and constructive way” in the upcoming negotiations to reform the 15-member body.
“UfC countries reiterate that the creation of new permanent seats would hinder the achievement of such important goals, and would not be in line with the overall interests of the membership,” a statement issued by the Italian Mission to the UN said.
Italy and Pakistan head the UfC group, which stands for consensus-based decisions in restructuring the Security Council.
The Group of Four — India, Brazil, Germany and Japan — are pushing for a permanent seat on the Security Council, the UN’s power centre.
“UfC is firmly convinced that divisive and non-consensual initiatives will complicate the reform process even further,” the statement said.
Pakistan was represented at the meeting by the Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz. He was accompanied by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi.
The statement said the meeting reviewed the negotiating session and other international events which took place during the last session of UN General Assembly, such as the existence of relevant areas of convergence but also the persistence of different views on some key aspects of the reform.
“UfC believes that the overall objective of reform is that of enhancing the Security Council’s representativeness, transparency, effectiveness and accountability,” the statement said.
“UfC renews therefore the appeal to all Member States of the UN to carefully examine the proposal flagged in 2014, based on the creation of long-term non-permanent seats, with the possibility of an immediate re-election. UfC believes that this formula could offer the basis for a fair and equitable compromise solution, able to satisfy also the aspirations of those countries who wish to serve in the Council for longer periods of time, in the light of their growing international commitment.”
UfC Ministers, according to the statement, reaffirmed that the negotiations remain state-driven, inclusive, comprehensive, and based on all five pillars of the reform. “They also renewed the appeal to all member states to be ready to engage in a more flexible and constructive way in the upcoming phases of the negotiating process,” the statement said.
“SC reform is necessary, urgent and of paramount importance,” the statement further said, adding that it requires the consensus of an overwhelming and cross-cutting majority of the membership, in the interests of the organization and all its member states.
“UfC countries reaffirm their full commitment to continuing to engage in constructive dialogue with the new president of the General Assembly, all member states and different negotiating groups, for the sake of seeking a proper and fair compromise solution, able to enhance mutual understanding and promoting a positive outcome to the reform process of the Security Council.”
