Statement by the delegation of Indonesia at the Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council and Other Matters related to the Security Council
Let me join others in thanking you for convening these deliberations. I would also like to seize the opportunity to congratulate the Ambassadors of Bangladesh, Chile and Portugal for their appointment as the Vice Chairmen of the Working group. We very much value your efforts in trying to advance the crucial and difficult agenda of a comprehensive reform of the Security Council. We are convinced that under your able stewardship the work done in the previous session will be built upon tangibly. It is critical that the generated momentum could be sustained by further exploring the facilitators’ reports in the previous session. Despite the existing divergence of views, the report have garnered the widest support from the member states. My delegation believes that our work in this session should be anchored in the orientation as laid out in those reports. Mr. Chairman, As clearly stated in your letter, this meeting should be focused in identifying concrete elements to be used as basis for possible intergovernmental negotiations on the Council’s reform. In this regard, we are of the view that several key considerations should be taken into account: First, we recognise that there are strong views in the membership on the reform of the Council, including its working methods. While the transitional approach may not be the ideal solution, it offers a pragmatic way to move forward without preempting any decision on the final status. Hence, the aim of the negotiations should be to try to converge on a common transitional arrangement. Second, we must not get mired in the most divisive issues in discussing the transitional arrangement. The majority view of the member states is a solid guide in identifying the most divisive issues. Therefore, we believe that the debate on the enlargement of the membership should focus only on the category of non-permanent membership, addressing the under representation of developing countries, especially in Asia and Africa. The principle of rotation in this respect is appealing to us. In our view, it is important that the negotiations also cover the aspect of representation from the major world civilisations. We would like to underline that along with the need for the Council to be representative of the wider global publics, its efficiency is also a very important element. Hence, in order to maintain the efficiency, we could support only a limited expansion of the Council in its non-permanent category. Third, the matter of veto must also be taken up. The question of veto can be tackled, particularly by considering ways to enhance the accountability in the use of the veto, limitations of its scope, and its application. We also need to discuss about the necessity of the practice of explaining the reasons of the use of veto before the vote, and there must not be any provision of veto in the circumstances of genocide as well as on the issues under the application of Chapter VI. Fourth, the working methods of the Security Council are immensely important to the delegations. The intergovernmental negotiations process should clearly address how the works and functioning of the Council can be more inclusive and transparent for the larger membership. There must be a discussion of establishing a mechanism that ensures opportunities particularly to those member states whose interests are affected, to be heard before the Council makes its decisions. Similar mechanism should also be established in the subsidiary bodies of the Council. Mr. Chairman, In regard to the troop contributing countries (TCCs), my delegation would like to underline the importance of further consultation and cooperation between the Council and the TCCs in order to improve the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping missions. The Council should engage in an open and frequent dialogue with the TCCs throughout all stages of the peacekeeping operations. There must be a closer cooperation between the TCCs, the Council and UNDPKO in the preparation and implementation of the mandate of the Council’s resolutions. Finally, Mr. President, a mutually reinforcing and balanced partnership between the Security Council and General Assembly as clearly stipulated in the UN Charter is pertinent to ensure the effective functioning of both principal organs in accordance with its respective mandate. The need and nature of the partnership spirit between the two also needs to be highlighted in the negotiations. Thank you.
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