NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 14 – The United for Consensus group is ready to cooperate actively with the whole United Membership membership on a consensual path towards the reform of the Security Council. “For us, the search for consensus is indeed paramount”, the Italian permanent Representative to the UN, Mariangela Zappia, said on behalf of the group during the opening meeting of the 2020 session of the Intergovernamental Negotiations.
“On the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, Member States should celebrate with a renewed commitment to multilateralism and to the core principles upon which the United Nations was founded: democracy and ‘equal rights for Nations large and small’, inclusivity”, Zappia said speaking on behalf of the group which includes Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Pakistan, Turkey, San Marino, Costa Rica, Malta, Spain, Mexico, South Korea, with China and Indonesia and observers.
The group believes that the reform should properly address the request of Africa to correct the historical injustice against African countries and the Continent’s under-representation in the Council; consider the growing importance of the Asia-Pacific, Eastern European and Latin American regions and grant them a more equitable representation; listen to the call of over 60 countries – mainly Small States and Small Islands and Developing States (SIDS) – that have never had the opportunity to serve in the Council; address the Arab group’s request for a more proportionate representation in an enlarged Council.
“Over the years, UFC has updated its proposal in order to better address the legitimate interests of all. We appeal to all other Groups and Member States to show the same openness and flexibility”, said Zappia adding that reforming the Security Council requires patience and perseverance, since hasty decisions would be detrimental to all. “Indeed, it would be devastating to throw away what we have built in the last few years. And it would be a failure for all Member States, especially were it to happen in 2020, the year of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations: a moment to confirm our commitment to enhancing this institution”. (@OnuItalia)
