January 25, 2000
Agenda Item 38 : Question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and related matters
by H.E. Mr. LEE See-young, Permanent Representative at the 54th Session of the UN General Assembly
Mr. President,
Reform of the Security Council, like reform of the United Nations as a whole, is one of the top priority tasks that the international community has been mandated to carry out during the last decade of the 20th Century. As we stand today at the twilight of the 20th Century, we cannot but express disappointment and frustration at what little progress we have made over the last six years.
Now that we are about to cross into the 21st Century, however, we believe that the United Nations is once again called upon to persevere and to make further serious efforts in pursuit of a general agreement on reform of the Security Council, especially since such reform will have a crucial impact on the future of the United Nations and the shaping of the international order in the coming century.
Having said that, Mr. President, let me reflect upon several of the fundamental issues on which any reform of the Security Council will have to be based.
The overarching goal, in our view, remains unchanged: the enhancement of democratic representation, accountability and efficiency of the Security Council. It is true that democratic representation of all 188 members on the Security Council can only be enhanced by enlarging the membership of the Council, and a consensus seems to have emerged at least on this key point of enlargement.
Despite intensive deliberations for the last six years, however, there has been no consensus as yet on an expansion package involving such issues as categories and total size of the enlarged Council, qualifications and modalities for the selection of the new membership and the system of periodic review. Enlargement still remains an indispensable component of our overall task, calling for an extra dose of creativity.
With respect to the issue of categories and size of the Council, it is imperative that we ensure, on the one hand, that all Member States be given a fair opportunity to serve on the Council with reasonable frequency, commensurate with their capabilities, actual and potential, to contribute to international peace and security, as well as their willingness to do so.
On the other hand, regardless of whether or when the international community can find optimal answers to the many unresolved questions of permanent membership, we are still prepared to go ahead with the expansion of the non-permanent membership. Non-permanency through periodic elections, by definition, better guarantees democratic representation on the Security Council.
We also believe that increased non-permanent seats should be distributed on a more equitable geographical basis. We should take into account all relevant factors, including evolving geography within each regional group in the post-Cold War era. Given the recent enlargement of the Asian Group membership and its best geographical coverage, the Asian Group deserves special consideration in the composition of an expanded Council.
Mr. President,
Consensus also appears to have emerged on the need for greater transparency in the work of the Security Council, which would certainly imbue the Council with greater democracy and accountability. It would also, in turn, encourage the majority of UN Member States to render their full support and contributions to the work of the Council through more active participation. My delegation notes with satisfaction that the Security Council has recently made significant strides in the area of transparency by holding more open briefings and meetings.
For our part, my delegation, in cooperation with other non-permanent members of the Council, took a joint initiative in December 1997 to put forward a number of practical suggestions for transparency measures. These suggestions, along with other views that emerged in the course of the follow-up discussions, are reflected in a conference room paper prepared by the Bureau of the Open-Ended Working Group, entitled "Working methods of the Security Council and transparency of its work, as well as its decision-making process," contained in document A/53/47.
We remain convinced that, contrary to what many people perceive, transparency is not necessarily detrimental to efficiency. In fact, the two can be mutually reinforcing if managed effectively. We should therefore continue to seek parallel and balanced progress on both fronts in the work of the Council.
Mr. President,
Let me now turn to the sensitive issue of the decision-making process of the Security Council. It has been my Government's consistent position that the number of veto holders must not be enlarged. The veto was indeed an exception to the principle of sovereign equality under the special circumstances after World War II. Even in this post-Cold War era, we witnessed that vetoes have prevented the Council from responding responsibly to situations where the Council's action was required. In our view, veto power should not be expanded, but rather rationalized.
My delegation also attaches particular importance to the issue of periodic review of the composition of the Council after its enlargement. Periodic review, to be meaningful, should be undertaken in a substantive manner within a reasonable timeframe.
In conclusion, Mr. President, it would be amiss if I do not pay tribute to the President of the 53rd session of the General Assembly as chairman of the Open-Ended Working Group and his two Vice Chairmen, Ambassador de Saram of Sri Lanka and Ambassador Dahlgren of Sweden, for their excellent leadership in guiding the Working Group during the past year.
My delegation also entertains high expectations that next year's Open-Ended Working Group will reap fruitful results under your prominent and skillful leadership, Mr. President; indeed, we are all counting on you in this respect. May I assure you of my delegation's commitment and willingness to cooperate with you to make the work of the upcoming Working Group as constructive and fruitful as possible.
Thank you.
