Distinguished Co-Facilitators,
The Philippines joins other Member States in commending both of you for your excellent stewardship as co-facilitators of the Inter-governmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform.
The Philippines reiterates its support for this process and to the co-facilitators as we continue to exchange views, including on the various models and ideas presented by groups on Security Council reform.
Security Council reform is a fundamental pillar in further strengthening multilateralism. In this regard, we hope that specific steps to reform the Security Council be undertaken soonest to make it more representative, more inclusive, more capable and more efficient in addressing existing and new generation of global security challenges.
In this regard, the Philippines would like to reiterate the following:
First, an expanded and more representative Security Council, with due regard to equitable and balanced geographical distribution, should be realized to make it more responsive to the rapidly evolving global security architecture and 21st century geopolitical realities.
Second, a reformed Security Council should address existing deficiencies in equitable representation of regions not adequately represented in the Security Council, including Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Asia-Pacific.
We support a new Security Council with up to 27 members based on consensually agreed criteria and fair and equitable representation of all regional groups.
Third, the veto power has no place in a 21st century Security Council. The veto should not paralyze the Security Council in fulfilling its main task in the maintenance of international peace and security, especially more so now given conflicts occurring in multiple fronts.
While it will be a challenge to remove the veto privileges of the permanent members, then we should consider the need to curtail its exercise or use. We reiterate our support to the ACT Code of Conduct and the French-Mexican initiative that spell out exceptions to the use of the veto power.
Fourth, the Philippines reiterates its position that Security Council reform should be undertaken in conjunction with the ongoing efforts to revitalize the General Assembly especially with respect to enhancing the role of the assembly in terms of decision making on matters affecting international peace and security.
A reformed Security Council and a revitalized General Assembly will further strengthen multilateralism with the United Nations at its core.
Finally, the reformed and expanded Security Council should not just improve representation, but should be able to act swiftly and decisively on issues related to international peace and security, with the highest standards of accountability, coherence, transparency and fidelity to the trust accorded to it by the greater UN membership.
Thank you, Co-Facilitators.