STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE, AT THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON “IMPLEMENTATION OF NOTE S/2024/507: WORKING METHODS”, 19 AUGUST 2026

Madam President,

                   Thank you for convening this timely and important discussion. I also thank Ms Shamala Kandiah from SCR (Security Council Report) for her insightful briefing and for putting forward some concrete suggestions.

2                   I also welcome the E10 statement on working methods that was made by Liberia earlier.  I take this opportunity to commend the E10 for their continued unity, initiative and leadership on the issue of working methods.  In particular, we are proud of the role that small states have played in the Council, in bringing greater transparency to the work of the Council.  We share the view of the E10 on this important issue and would like to offer some additional perspectives.

3                    First, a discussion on working methods is fundamentally about transparency. Transparency is the foundation for a credible, effective and accountable Security Council. It positively impacts the work of the Council and the implementation of the Council’s decisions. It also promotes greater dialogue and transparency beyond the Council amongst the broader UN membership. In this regard, while we commend the increase in the proportion of open meetings of the Council, we note that closed consultations remain a regular practice for certain files. While closed discussions may facilitate candid exchanges between Council Members, greater effort should be made to convene some of these meetings in open format, allowing for the participation of concerned Member States. The Council can consider producing a summary record of decision points to be shared with the wider membership. In addition, the annual report of the Security Council is important for accountability between the Council and the wider membership. Singapore commends this year’s penholder, Pakistan, for the exemplary manner in which they led the process in drafting the annual report.  We also thank them for convening the interactive informal exchanges of views with the wider membership when the annual report was being drafted, in accordance with Paragraph 148 of Note 507.

4                    Second, we would like to see greater inclusivity in the Council’s working methods. The selection of the next Secretary-General is an opportunity for the Council to demonstrate its commitment to inclusiveness. It is essential that the Council’s recommendation is the culmination of a fair, inclusive and consultative process. It would be important for all candidates to be given the opportunity to engage in interactive dialogues with the General Assembly before the Security Council begins its selection. In addition, while respecting the Council’s prerogatives, we also urge greater transparency in the modalities and outcomes of the selection process, including by releasing the results of the straw polls in a more formal way.  The current practice of the results being shared through leaks is not good for the credibility of the process nor of the Council.

Madam President,

5                    My third and final point is about effectiveness. For the second year in a row, the continued delay in the appointment of the chairs of subsidiary bodies has posed severe challenges to the implementation of Council decisions. We call on Council members to adhere to the guidelines for the selection of chairs of subsidiary bodies contained in paragraphs 125 to 129 of Note 507, and avoid the politicisation of this process. In this regard, the suggestions put forward by our briefer warrant further reflection and consideration by the Council.

6                    Allow me to conclude by thanking the co-Chairs of the informal working group – Denmark and Pakistan – for their continued efforts on this issue. As the UN system undergoes reform to make it more effective and fit for purpose, we urge the Council to undertake practical reforms to its working methods to the same end.

I thank you.