STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE INTER-GOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATIONS ON THE QUESTION OF EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION ON AND INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE COUNCIL, 6-7 FEBRUARY 2017

Thank you very much Mr Co-Chairs.

1        I would like to start by congratulating both of you on your appointment as co-chairs of the IGN (Inter-Governmental Negotiations) on Security Council reform.  Your task is not easy but you have Singapore’s support. 

Co-Chairs,

2        Let me start with a brief recap of Singapore’s position on the question of UNSC reform.  We support expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership to make the Council more representative and inclusive.  But we also believe that any reform of the Security Council must go beyond just increasing the number of seats.  Reform should make the Council more accountable, transparent and inclusive for everyone, not just for aspirants to permanent membership.  This is an important issue for many small states, as we do not have many opportunities, if at all, to serve in the Council.  We therefore attach great importance to improving the working methods of the Council.  We have made a number of practical proposals to enhance the transparency and accountability of the Security Council.  Of note, we have joined many countries to support limiting the use of the veto by the P5.  We do not support extending the veto to new permanent members as we do not think additional vetoes will enhance the effectiveness of the Council to respond to threats to peace and security. 

Co-Chairs,

3        The IGN process was launched in 2009 to start inter-governmental negotiations on UNSC reform.  If we are really serious about the IGN, we must aim to get to a text-based negotiating process.  Otherwise, the IGN will become an annual ritual for rhetoric.  Let me pose a stark question: is the IGN a vehicle to maintain the status-quo or is it a vehicle to reform the status-quo?   The answer to this question will depend on whether we are able to show progress.  If the IGN does not deliver progress, we damage not only the credibility of the IGN process, we will also weaken the role of the General Assembly.   

Co-chairs,

4        With every passing year, the case for UNSC reform becomes more compelling, not less compelling.  At the same time, the reality is that the Security Council has not always lived up to expectations.  For many small countries, membership in the Security Council is an enormous challenge.  Many small countries have never run for elections to the Council.  It is therefore important that the IGN deliver progress in order to strengthen the credibility, legitimacy and accountability of the Security Council.  In this regard, let me share some of our thoughts on how we can make progress. 

5        Firstly, we must build on the good work done by the IGN over the last two years, and aim for text-based negotiations.  The previous IGN Chair prepared “elements of convergence” on two of the five clusters of issues. This year, we need to complete our work by addressing the other three clusters of issues: (i) “categories of membership”; (ii) “regional representation”; and (iii) “the question of the veto”.

6        The key point is this:  we should not jettison what has been done over the last two years.  Instead, we should refine and fine-tune the key “elements for convergence”, prepared by the previous IGN Chair.  We should aim to identify “elements of convergence” on all five clusters of issues, taking into account the inputs already incorporated in the framework document, prepared by one of the previous IGN Chairs.  We would also urge the co-chairs to compile the various elements from the last two years into a consolidated document for further negotiations.  To recap, we think it is really important to have a consolidated document on all five clusters of issues. 

7        Among the three remaining clusters of issues, the question of the veto is one that is particularly urgent and important.  In recent months, we have seen too many times how the Security Council has failed to live up to its responsibility to prevent action to address crimes of mass atrocities.  Without a doubt, there is growing support for limiting the use of the veto in cases of mass atrocities.  The IGN must recognise this trend and focus its attention on this important issue in order to make progress.  Specifically, we need to see how the ACT’s code of conduct and the French/Mexican initiative, in particular, could be included as an element for further consideration.

8        Secondly, the IGN needs to take a more pragmatic approach and identify areas where we can realise early progress.  In this regard, I wish to stress the importance of improving the working methods of the Security Council.  In our view, improvements to the working methods of the Council will benefit every member of the UN.  Our suggestion is that we go through the “elements of convergence” paper prepared by the previous IGN chair and identify the initiatives that are already being implemented to improve the working methods of the Council and the relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly.  

9        Many useful initiatives have already been implemented, including the increasing number of open meetings of the Council, the PGA’s regular meetings with the President of the Security Council, the SG’s regular lunch sessions with the Council, and the monthly wrap-up sessions held by the President of the Council.

10      In our view, it is important to capture and formalise the improvements in working methods already adopted by the Security Council, so that such improvements become standard work procedures, rather than remaining as ad hoc, informal measures. We would suggest that the co-chairs consolidate these existing practices into a document and identify them as “elements for implementation”.  This we hope could be a concrete outcome for the IGN this year. 

11      Thirdly, given the difficult issues at play, it would be useful for the two co-chairs to encourage more informal and interactive consultations.  In this regard, I welcome your decision to have a more interactive session tomorrow.  In our view, there is a broad-based momentum for reform.  There is a critical mass of countries who have put forward their ideas and proposals over the last few years.  This provides a good basis for our work.  My delegation is committed to making genuine progress in the IGN, and we look forward to working closely with you and all members to further strengthen the effectiveness and credibility of the Security Council.