Statement

By

H.E. Inga Rhonda King

Ambassador/Permanent Representative,

Permanent Mission of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations

On behalf of the L69 Group For Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council Reform

January 26, 2023

Thank you, Co-Chairs, Happy New Year to you and to the entire assembly. I have the honour, once again, to deliver this statement on behalf of the L.69, a diverse, pro-reform group of 29, cross-regional, developing countries,

Co-Chairs, 

We begin today by first assuring you of our steadfast cooperation during this session. We stand ready to support your efforts to advance this process, in line with the spirit of General Assembly Decision 62/557.

In your letter dated 5^th December, you expressed your intention to begin deliberations on substance. While the L.69 wholeheartedly supports this approach, we note that the current framework of the IGN does not facilitate this. We begin, therefore, by expressing our concern with respect to the flawed working methods of this process. We have opted to begin our intervention by underscoring this inconvenient truth, as it does directly influence our work. Effective working methods should be regarded as a precondition for our success.

For years, we have been stuck in a cycle of repetition, which has precluded any concrete progress. At the beginning of last year’s IGN, and, I daresay, the year before that, and perhaps even the year before that,  delegations were invited to set forth their positions on regional representation, including as it relates to SIDS, African representation and clarification of the concepts “equitable geographical distribution” and “regional representation”. This year, due to a lack of record-keeping and a text with clear attribution, delegations have, once again, been invited to repeat these positions, thereby depriving us of the opportunity to have a real discussion on these positions. To address this issue, we propose increasing the frequency of the meetings to twice a month. This will provide the time and opportunity for us to pursue more in-depth discussions on each cluster.

Co Chairs,

The flaw in this process is not a lack of familiarity with the positions on the various clusters; it is the lack of a logical framework and a glaring lack of willingness by a few to allow for this framework to be improved. In this context, the L.69 repeats its call for text-based negotiations, which will engender continuity and predictability and which will also facilitate progress. There is no justification for the attempts to circumvent this tried and tested approach., There are really only two options before us – we can persist along the futile course which we have traversed for more than two decades, or pivot and explore an alternative route that may bring us closer to our goal. If Security Council reform is indeed our common objective, then there should be no resistance to a tried and tested approach. 

We also reiterate our call for the introduction of mechanisms that can bolster the transparency and legitimacy of this process, such as record-keeping, documentation, and webcasting, all of which are standard in UN processes. We believe that this is the only way to enable the full, equal and meaningful participation of all delegations in the discussions and deliberations of this member-driven process. This is particularly necessary for small, capacity constrained delegations that struggle to balance competing demands. This notwithstanding, in the spirit of flexibility and compromise, we remain open to alternative proposals that can achieve the same outcome.

Co-Chairs,

Allow me to now turn to the issue of the first cluster, Regional Representation, which you have identified as our focus for today’s meeting. The world and its challenges are evolving exponentially and becoming more complex; yet, the Security Council continues to operate within the context of an outdated world order.  Reform is the only way to ensure that this Organ remains relevant, legitimate and fit for purpose. In this context, the L.69 reiterates the need for an expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership. We remain fully supportive of the Common African Position, as unambiguously espoused in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, which we recognize as mutually reinforcing. In this regard, the L.69 Group acknowledges the right of the African Union to select Africa’s candidates for the Security Council. These candidates would then be considered by the General Assembly through election, a process to which all potential candidates would be subject. We also reiterate our support for a rotating seat for Small Island Development States in the non-permanent member category, with close and frequent coordination among regional groups to safeguard the regular representation of Small Island Developing States.

An expanded Security Council must better represent the UN membership by providing a platform for the voices of all regions and reflecting their geographically diverse aspirations, perspectives and concerns. These are the characteristics that would enable us to operationalize the concepts of “equitable geographic distribution” and “regional representation”, which will allow for more voices to be equally represented and prevent the unfair dominance of a few, thus minimizing the inherent defect of permanency.

Co-Chairs and Excellencies,

The complexity of the 21^st century necessitates innovative and dynamic solutions to overcome the challenges of today and safeguard our tomorrow. These solutions are not beyond our reach if we aspire to them collectively. The Security Council’s glaring deficiencies have prevented it from successfully influencing and transforming situations in accordance with its mandate. To this end, the need for reform is not a mere desire but a necessity that must remain at the fore of our deliberations during this session. As such, I wish to assure you of the L.69’s commitment to this process and to all of your efforts to move us closer to our shared goal.

I thank you. And Peace Profound.