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Mr President,
These days the focus is set on the Security Council. Again we are being reminded of the enormous responsibility of the Council to uphold peace and security. To safeguard this important role a reform is needed to further strengthen the Council.
A modern UN requires a Security Council that mirrors the realities of today's international relations. The world is changing and the UN, with its growing membership, is changing as well. This must also be reflected in the composition of the Security Council. The Council must be perceived as being truly representative by the 191 Member States. The credibility and legitimacy of the Council is at stake. Therefore we need to intensify our efforts to achieve a comprehensive reform.
Mr President,
As you are aware, Sweden has taken an active part in the efforts to achieve a far-reaching reform of the Security Council. We remain committed to this aim. We regard it as one of the most important tasks facing the UN membership as it works to implement the recommendations in the Millennium Declaration. Indeed it is a complex issue but it is crucial for the continued relevance of the Council to achieve concrete results. In order to emphasize the legitimacy of the Security Council, the need for reform is urgent. This would further strengthen the UN in its most vital role as the guarantor for protecting international peace and security. Therefore, all Member States now have to act in a responsible manner and show flexibility.
All efforts should be made to strengthen the Council's ability to work effectively, negotiate in good faith and to reach decisions. Necessary actions must not be hindered or blocked by a veto or threat thereof.
As stated on earlier occasions Sweden favours an enlargement of the Council to make room for an increased representation of Member States, not least developing countries. We also believe that it is of utmost importance that a reform is met by the broadest possible support – ideally by consensus. To achieve this Sweden would support a reform process in stages. A first step would be an enlargement limited to non-permanent members. At a later stage Sweden would not exclude an increase of permanent members.
The reform issue has been discussed for many years, with little success. However, Sweden would like to yet again state its commitment to moving the reform process forward. We will continue to work constructively in the Open-ended Working Group with the primary aim of facilitating an early decision on the enlargement. Progress on this important issue is long overdue. We hope that all Member States will join the efforts to create a more modern United Nations.
May I take this opportunity to commend the Secretary-General for his report "Strengthening of the United Nations: an agenda for further change". Sweden welcomes the views presented in the section entitled "Stalled process of Security Council reform". Sweden fully agrees with the linkage between the Council's credibility and international peace and security. Consequently it is in every one's interest to make this important reform a priority.
Mr President,
At this point let me also welcome the report of the Security Council to the General Assembly. I would like to commend the Members of the Security Council who took the initiative to the new and more user friendly format of the report, both with the analytical summary and the substantially decreased number of pages. It is a good example of modernising UN documents.
Thank you, Mr President
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