Today, H.E Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to the United Nations, delivered a statement before the adoption of draft resolution A/76/L.52 on a “Standing mandate for a General Assembly debate when a veto is cast in the Security Council.” The resolution provides for the President of the General Assembly to convene a formal Meeting of the Assembly within 10 working days of a permanent member of the Council casting a veto, to hold a debate on the situation on which the veto was cast.

 

In her statement, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett expressed Guyana’s support for the resolution and stated that it is a critical step in the accountability and transparency in the use of the veto, strengthens the relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council and adds a critical element to the organization's work in relation to the maintenance of international peace and security. The Ambassador further acknowledged that the resolution is without prejudice to the intergovernmental negotiations on reform of the Secuirty Council (IGN), where the question of the veto continues to be addressed, and where Guyana maintains active participation.