UN SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON 'WORKING METHODS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL'
5 September 2023
Statement by H.E. James Larsen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Australian Mission to the United Nations
Thank you, Mr President, for convening this important open debate on Security Council Working Methods.
I commend your leadership and I acknowledge the work of past chairs of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions, in promoting meaningful reform to the Council.
Australia would like to highlight three key areas of working methods reform.
These are:
- transparency
- the use of the veto; and
- strengthening the peacebuilding architecture.
A transparent Security Council is in the interest of all Member States. As Article 24 of the Charter makes clear.
The Council acts on behalf of all Member States to maintain international peace and security.
Australia welcomes Note 507 which sets out the commitment and updates to the key document on working methods.
We want to see strengthened engagement between Council members and the broader UN membership, including with key regional groupings, to inform Council discussions on the significant challenges facing all of us.
Greater transparency and consultation with non-Council members will continue to enhance the Council’s credibility.
Australia supports greater use of public meetings, open debates, Arria Formula meetings and monthly preview and wrap-up sessions.
As we all know, effective multilateralism isn’t just about the discussions inside this chamber, it’s also about being inclusive.
Australia continues to support participation in Council meetings by those working in the field, often at great risk to their own personal safety, whether civil society representatives or humanitarian briefers.
Their valuable experiences strengthen the Council’s decision making, and, noting their vulnerability, Australia supports initiatives to ensure their protection, such as that led by Switzerland.
On the use of the veto: working methods must be effective to allow the Council to discharge its mandate. The veto is a powerful instrument, and its use must be transparent and restrained. And Australia supports all efforts in these endeavours.
Australia urges all Member States to capitalise on the momentum of the ‘Liechtenstein initiative’ and we support further practical proposals for greater accountability and transparency.
In terms of strengthening peacebuilding architecture, we know that sadly, the world is facing an extraordinary rise in instability and armed conflict.
Last year, was the deadliest year for armed conflict since the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
For peace to be sustainable, peacebuilding must be the responsibility of the entire United Nations system.
It cannot simply be confined to UN peacebuilding institutions.
Working methods should support the UN Peacebuilding Commission’s unique role, especially as an adviser to the Security Council.
We support efforts to strengthen the role of the Peacebuilding Commission.
It can bring early attention to situations of risk, and support coherent, whole system action on conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts.
To conclude, Mr President, we must redouble our efforts to improve the Security Council’s working methods and achieve consensus.
Australia will continue to engage constructively in the intergovernmental processes, and we will work with all Member States to deliver on the ambitious scope of the Secretary General’s Pact of the Future and a Security Council that can effectively address our shared challenges.