At a meeting of Ministers from the G4 comprising Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan, they sounded out a vital need for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to reflect today’s geopolitical realities. According to them, such reform is necessary if the United Nations is to remain relevant today and in the years to come.
In this respect, the Foreign Ministers- represented by Mauro Vieira of Brazil, Annalena Baerbock of Germany, S. Jaishankar of India, and Yoko Kamikawa of Japan a meeting on September 23 at the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly to review issues in the multilateral system; to discuss the development of reforms for the Security Council; and other matters.
The G4 Ministers recognized that the multilateral system, as represented in the UN, faced some daunting challenges, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a joint statement. They underlined that Security Council reform is of critical importance to update its structures. And working methods to reflect current geopolitical realities. They endorsed the holding of the “Summit of the Future” on 22-23 September this year during which world leaders will press for urgent reform of the Security Council.
The Ministers also welcomed the proposal by Brazil to issue a Call to Action on Global Governance Reform during its Presidency of the G20. Underlining that this is a transformative moment in global governance. And placing UN Security Council reform at the center of the post-Summit agenda.
Ministers of G4 called again for the Security Council’s expansion to include both permanent. And non-permanent memberships with the view to increasing the legitimacy and efficiency of the Council. They further emphasized the need to strengthen the role and representation of developing countries. In particular those that contribute a great deal to international peace and security.
They also stressed the need for better representation of under-represented and unrepresented regions. Such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean. They further reiterated their firm support for the Common African Position. As espoused within the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
The G4 Ministers, while looking back at the work of the previous UN General Assembly. Took note of the efforts undertaken by the Co-Chairs of the IGN to advance negotiations on reform. They felt concern, though, given the lack of substantial progress, and urged that text-based negotiations needed urgently to be advanced.
The G4 welcomed the recent increase in support for these negotiations. They underlined the need for respect for the provisions on the decision-making procedures of the UN Charter. And for the corresponding rules and procedures of the General Assembly.
Looking forward to the 80th anniversary of the UN in 2025. The G4 Ministers underlined the need for urgency on Security Council reform. They called on the international community to be actively involved in efforts toward the reform during the 79th UN General Assembly. They further agreed to cooperate with other UN members to move this issue ahead. And reiterated support for each other’s candidatures for permanent membership in an enlarged Security Council.
ANI
