Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly

12 July 2022

Excellencies,

Thank you for joining today’s plenary.

I would like to express my deep appreciation to H.E. Ms. Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar, and H.E. Mr. Martin Bille Hermann, Permanent Representative of Denmark for their efforts in facilitating the IGN process during the 76th session. 

Their tireless work, leadership and innovative approach of “un-formal” engagement with the Member States has resulted in further expanding the areas of convergence and narrowing down the areas of divergence. 

Dear friends,

The success of this Intergovernmental Negotiations is entirely contingent upon the active and ambitious involvement of Member States. 

I commend each of you for your active involvement, and your deep and detailed discussions, throughout the 76th session.

While we all agree that we have diverse views on each of the five clusters, we also agree that the reform of the Security Council is warranted and much delayed. 

Its been fifty-seven years since the last increase in the membership of the Security Council. The UN membership was then at 113. 

Today, the UN has 193 Member States, but the Security Council membership is frozen at fifteen, with no permanent representation for the entire African continent. 

As for the IGN process, we are in the fourteenth year since it began.  We thus have a collective responsibility to demonstrate that the IGN is working and not let the process turn into a Sisyphean exercise. 

It is precisely for this reason that the 75th Anniversary Declaration adopted by our leaders calls for instilling new life in the discussions on the reform of the Security Council. 

In this context, I would again like to recognize the work of the Co-Chairs. 

We all understand that the IGN process is complex and is political. 

Despite this, the Co-Chairs persisted with their new approach and I am glad that albeit some initial skepticism and hesitation, Member States have embraced the new approach. 

Apart from the unformal conversations and substantial increase in the areas of convergence, I would like to particularly mention the following: 

i. Use of oral reflections by the co-chairs following some of the more substantive discussions.

ii. Vigorous use of guiding questions for the interactive discussions.

iii. Discussions on the revised elements paper during the IGN process itself leading to the final version that was circulated to  Member States.

iv. Meetings were adjourned only when the speakers’ lists were exhausted; and 

v. Further elaboration and a more comprehensive reference to the Common African Position.

Excellencies,

Global developments have made it imperative that we deliver a United Nations, including a Security Council, that is fit for purpose, is representative and is able to deliver for those we serve. 

The challenges that we face in securing and sustaining peace have underscored the need to reform the Security Council. 

Around the world, our leaders and constituents are, once again, rightly asking themselves and each other: why can the UN not do more? 

They expect change.

And we have a choice to make.

We can dither and delay any dialogue because of our differences, or we can seize the moment in time, bridge our differences, and reach towards a common goal that is long, long overdue.

Excellencies,

We have made progress this year. This is clear. 

But not all delegations will agree. 

This is understandable. 

While the pace is slow, our goal remains the same. 

And we need to fully utilize the IGN process or be left without one. 

The choice is in the hands of Member States. 

Going forward, I would encourage all delegations to work tirelessly to further narrow down the divergences and gradually move the process towards text based negotiations, using the Co-Chairs Elements Paper, along with the Framework Document.

Excellencies,

I hope that the constructive spirit demonstrated during this year’s negotiations will guide your decision on the draft oral decision on Security Council Reform.

While it is not perfect, the draft decision if adopted by consensus, would demonstrate commitment and solidarity, and provide a robust basis for further progress in the upcoming session. 

My friends, 

In an uncertain world, a stronger, more reliable, and more dependable United Nations is necessary. 

Efforts to make the Security Council efficient, effective, representative and accountable is not only welcome but desperately needed. 

Only then can we deliver peace and security, stability, and pathways to prosperity. 

So, let us take those steps forward. Let us demonstrate that we are listening and acting as required.

I thank you.