Pakistan Advocates for UN Security Council Reforms and Transparency

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram, has called for reforms in the UN Security Council, advocating for greater transparency and inclusivity. He criticized proposals for expanding permanent membership, insisting that elections are the better route for adapting to global changes. The discussion revealed both agreements and significant disagreements on the reform’s direction and priorities.

During a recent United Nations debate on the reform of the Security Council, Pakistan’s Ambassador Munir Akram emphasized the necessity for greater transparency and inclusiveness in the UN’s operations. He stated that addressing global and regional conflicts requires a restructuring of the existing Security Council framework along with enhancement of other UN bodies, such as the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council.

Ambassador Akram criticized proposals for expanding permanent membership, arguing that such actions would perpetuate outdated structures established in 1945. Instead, he advocated for elections to adapt the Council’s composition to changing global realities. His comments indirectly addressed the aspirations of the Group of Four countries—India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan—seeking permanent seats in the Security Council.

The Uniting for Consensus (UfC) group, led by Italy and Pakistan, opposes the addition of permanent members, proposing instead a new category of longer-term non-permanent members. This approach would increase the number of elected positions in the Council to 21. Despite some agreement on priorities, such as African representation and the inclusion of developing nations, there remain significant disagreements regarding the reform’s structure and implementation.

Ambassador Akram noted the simultaneous existence of both converging and diverging perspectives in discussions about reforming the Security Council. Key areas of contention include Council size, membership categories, regional representation, the use of veto power, and operational methods. These discussions underscore the complexity of achieving a consensus on the path forward for reform.

In summary, Pakistan’s call for reforms in the UN Security Council highlights the urgent need for transparency and inclusivity in its operations. Ambassador Munir Akram’s proposals stress the importance of adapting the Council to contemporary realities through elected membership rather than permanent additions. While there exists some agreement regarding certain priorities, substantial divergences remain, indicating that comprehensive reform will require continued dialogue and negotiation among Member States.

Original Source: dunyanews.tv