19 November 2008
Statement by H E The Hon Robert Hill, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations, to the United Nations General Assembly Plenary on the Joint debate on the Report of the Security Council and Question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and related matters
(As delivered)
Mr President,
Australia recognises that inter-governmental negotiations on equitable representation and increase in the membership of the United Nations Security Council are long-overdue. We support their imminent start and the initiative you have shown in commencing this process.
Reform of the United Nations Security Council is one of the most important institutional issues currently before member states, and something in which all member states have a stake. Australia will participate in inter-governmental negotiations with the goal of bringing about a Security Council that is more representative, which acts with greater authority, unity and credibility, and which functions more efficiently and democratically.
We will approach the negotiations with open minds, recognising that reform will only be achievable if we, as member states, can develop a solution that gains as broad support as possible. Australia looks forward to working with delegations from across the diversity of positions to find a solution that achieves this support, while keeping an eye at all times on ensuring the Security Council remains relevant to the modern world. Throughout negotiations, we must focus on ensuring that the decision-making capacity of the United Nations Security Council is not diminished, but is rather enhanced. This can only be achieved if effectiveness and equitable representation are balanced.
We must keep in sight that, through the UN Charter, we member states have conferred upon the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. In a time when the agenda of the Council is full, and the challenges facing countries are many, we must take a global view and not confuse the Council’s responsibility with our own national or regional preferences.
Australia considers that for the Security Council to remain relevant, any reform must acknowledge the contribution to international peace and security made by Japan and India and include them as permanent members. Japan is a major financial contributor to UN Peacekeeping Missions and leader in developing peacebuilding activities. India is an emerging economy with over one billion people. We also envisage that an expanded Council would include appropriate representation for Africa, a region comprising over one quarter of UN member states, and Latin America.
Australia recognises that any increase in non-permanent membership will need to balance the representation of regional groups that have changed in size since the last expansion, particularly Eastern Europe and Asia. We also believe the expansion of the Council should not be so large as to diminish its ability to fulfil its responsibilities under the UN Charter.
Australia still believes a particularly important aspect of Security Council reform is reform of its working methods. While the process of inter-governmental negotiations could be lengthy, there are measures that we could undertake today to improve the decision-making ability of the Council, and the openness and transparency of its processes, including access by non-members.
Mr President,
Australia considers that reform of the membership and working methods of the Security Council is vital to enhancing the credibility of the United Nations and its capacity to fulfil the goals set out in the UN Charter. The commencement of inter-governmental negotiations will be timely and Australia looks forward to contributing constructively throughout this process.