UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has reiterated its opposition to the adding of new permanent members to the UN Security Council, arguing that such expansion would exacerbate the body’s paralysis and marginalize smaller and medium-sized states from participation.
Addressing delegates at the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) aimed at reforming the Council, Ambassador Munir Akram emphasized the importance of equitable representation in any restructuring efforts.
He particularly critiqued the “L69 Model” proposed by a coalition of Asian, African, Latin American, Caribbean, and Pacific Island states, which advocates for an increase in both permanent (adding 6 seats for a total of 11) and non-permanent (adding 5 seats for a total of 15) membership, based on geographical representation.
Expressing concerns over the expansion of permanent seats, Ambassador Akram highlighted that the existing permanent membership structure is a root cause of the Council’s paralysis, stating, “The problem cannot be the solution.”
Negotiations on Council reform began in 2009, focusing on key areas such as membership categories, veto powers, regional representation, size, and working methods. Despite a general consensus on the need for enlargement, member states remain divided on the specifics, with various groups advocating for their proposals.
While the Group of Four (India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan) seeks 10 additional seats, with 6 permanent and 4 non-permanent members, the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) group, led by Italy and Pakistan, proposes a new category of longer-term, re-electable members, rejecting the notion of more permanent seats.
Ambassador Akram underscored the UfC’s proposal as the most pragmatic approach to enhance the Council’s representativeness and accountability, emphasizing that countries seeking greater UNSC presence should pursue it through periodic election by the General Assembly rather than through permanent membership expansion.
He also raised concerns about elements in the L69 model, including the removal of agenda items after a certain period, suggesting that such a practice could reward states blocking formal discussions without resolution of conflicts.
In conclusion, Ambassador Akram reiterated support for the UfC proposal, advocating for a more inclusive and effective Security Council responsive to the broader UN membership.
