Global Policy Forum

Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations

Mr. President,

In his statement the Permanent Representative of Canada, Amb. Rock, has made, on behalf of uniting for consensus, a forceful and meaningful illustration of the principles and values on which our draft resolution is based.

In introducing the UFC draft resolution I will therefore recall, first of all, the statement that I have delivered on the 1st of July, and that I am recirculating today. I draw the attention of the membership, once more, on the principles, values, and numbers highlighted in that statement: they are not only the milestone on which our draft resolution is anchored, but are also there to confirm that the G4 model is structured in such a way as to benefit just 6 happy few, at the detriment of all the other 180 member states, and with a tremendous divisive impact on the membership.

But I am sure, Mr. President, that member states will not accept to be taken for a ride. Arrogance never pays. We are here because we believe in dialogue with an open mind; because we believe in the principles of the charter; because we believe in the principle of the sovereign equality of all its members; because we believe that no reform will be able to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization if it will not be rooted on the principle of fair and equal opportunities to be granted to all its members; because only then we will be able to strengthen and to enhance our sense of ownership of this house, our sense of belonging to an organization of which we can be proud. It is in this direction, and along these lines, that the UFC draft resolution intends to offer a constructive non divisive platform for discussion and decision, a platform extremely flexible and centered on a strong regional empowerment.

Mr. President,

Allow me now to approach – even if reluctantly – a very delicate issue, let's call it the "ethical issue", that risks, if not addressed properly, to bring shame upon this house, and to destabilise all the process of reform.

Mr. President,

By "ethical issue", related to the security council reform, I am referring to the G4 resorting to financial leverage and to financial pressures in order to induce a government to align, or not to align, itself with a certain position, or to cosponsor or vote in favor of a certain draft. We all know, in this hall, what has been going on in the capitals, in some capitals. With threats of, for example, cutting financial assistance, or stopping the implementation of a certain project. Now it's time, Mr. President, for those who care about this organization, to stand up and to say enough is enough.

Mr. President,

Not later than yesterday morning – but, believe me, it is the latest example, in a long row – a G4 donor country has informed a government that had cosponsored the UFC resolution, that because of that, that because of this country not siding with the G4 but siding with the UFC, the donor would put an end to a development project already in place in that country (value 460,000 us dollars, concerning children by the way), and would never start another important infrastructural project that had already been decided.

Mr. President,

Is it not, this kind of improper and unethical behaviour, a shame? It is a shame, Mr. President, a shame that, for the sake of preserving the dignity of all member states, we cannot further tolerate. I will say it again, enough is enough. After the oil-for-food scandal, the organization, it is to say all of us, member states as well as those who have institutional responsibilities in the organization, cannot afford the luxury of another scandal, much more serious and destabilizing than the oil-for-food. Because here it is not a question of pocketing money. It is a question of ethics and moral values. It is a question of blackmailing some sectors of the membership, taking undue advantages from their vital needs. Enough is enough.

Mr. President,

In the UN we should promote a public culture in which responsible political advocacy, with no distortions or abuses, becomes the operative norm; a culture in which legitimate political advocacy or lobbying do not trespass an undoubtedly thin borderline, and becomes blackmail and corruptive practice. Donor countries should remember that development aid cannot become the pretext for an uncalled influence.

Mr. President,

If we want not to betray those members that believe in the organization and in its ethical foundations, we have the moral obligation not to allow a reform of the Security Council to be decided in this unhealthy and poisoned environment. I am sure that you, and the Secretary-General, will not turn your head and will not want to be responsible in front of the international community in deciding to sweep the dust under the carpet, and not to go into an in-depth assessment of the situation through an independent committee of inquiry, or any other initiative that you would deem appropriate.

What is at stake, Mr. President, is the credibility of the organization and of its process of reform. We are striving, as has been said by the secretary-general, for freedom from fear: yes, Mr. President, what we are fighting for is to free a member state from fear of losing financial assistance and foreign development aid just because it would refuse to comply to requests of political allegiance by someone that is more powerful. Reforms, Mr. President, cannot be dictated by power or money. They have to be dictated by principles. And it is our duty to strengthen the hand of those member states who rely on the organization, and who must know that they will be able to say "no" to improper and unethical requests without fear of suffering financial consequences, that for them would be unbearable.

Mr. President,

It is time we all say enough is enough. This organization cannot accept, cannot tolerate, and definitely cannot afford a stained reform, a reform perceived as the result of corruptive practices. We trust in your leadership, wisdom and resolve.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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