UNSC High-level Debate on Maintenance Of International Peace and Security: Addressing the Historical Injustice and Enhancing Africa’s Effective Representation in the United Nations Security Council

[12 August 2024]

Statement by Ambassador R. Ravindra, Charge d'Affaires & Deputy Permanent Representative

 

Mr. President,

I am privileged to deliver these remarks on a topic of great importance on behalf of G-4- Brazil, Germany, Japan and my own country India.

Recent global geo-political events have clearly shown that the UN Security Council is unable to deliver on its primary responsibilities to safeguard international peace and security, when the world needs it the most. The realities of 1945, when the Council was established, have long been superseded by current geo-political realities, with the need for change being felt across the board.  For the G-4, a primary reason for the underperformance of this critical institution remains the non-representation of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the under representation  of Asia-Pacific in the permanent category of the UN Security Council.

As such, we are convinced that African representation in both permanent and non-permanent category will be an indispensable part of UNSC reform for a more representative and effective Council. We as G-4 continue to support fully these legitimate demands and aspirations from the people of Africa. G-4’s relationship with Africa is anchored in trust and mutual respect and is focused on ensuring that Africa finds its rightful place in a new age of reformed multilateralism.

In fact, the title of the debate itself is a clarion call for representation. Representation in key multilateral bodies is still not a reality for Africa and many other regions of the world and it is imminent on us to correct this historical injustice. Not only from a historical point of view, but also from the perspective of future generations, this holds true. Africa is a continent with the youngest demography, one with vast natural resources, expanding capabilities, growing markets and most of all rising ambitions. It is also inconceivable that Africa which constitutes over 70% of the UNSC’s agenda items under discussions, does not get a permanent voice at the horse-shoe table.

G-4 has walked the talk when it comes to correcting the historical injustices done to Africa. Catering to today’s realities, the G4 model of UNSC reforms has clearly proposed that the Security Council's membership increase from the current 15 to 25-26, by adding six permanent and four or five non-permanent members. Among the six new permanent members, two each are proposed to be from African states and Asia Pacific states, one from Latin American and Caribbean states; and one from Western European and Other states.

On rights and privileges associated with permanent membership such as the veto, we also support the Common African Position that as long as it exists, it should be available to all permanent members, both new and old alike.

It is the G4’s firm belief – shared, we believe, by Africa and other groups – that any reform of the Council that does not address the lack of representation, particularly in the permanent category, would only exacerbate the current imbalances in the Council's composition and render it ill-equipped to address today's international challenges. Much younger bodies, like the G-20 in the New Delhi Summit held in September last year when AU was inducted as a full member, have shown themselves more willing to accommodate the legitimate needs and aspirations of the African people.

Mr. President, please allow me, in my national capacity to make few points. As the concept paper poses questions on the next step, we see the following solutions: One, add references to “Common African Position” and majority support to expansion in permanent category in A Pact for the Future, as it befits endorsement by our leaders.

Two, expedite text-based negotiations in the IGN. Consensus is an output of negotiations. For this, the 80^th anniversary of the United Nations could be a befitting milestone. It is important that we do not keep delaying reforms, waiting for a consensus to emerge, as consensus can only be arrived at through text-based negotiations. The other scenario is of status quo, where reforms and representation are only elusive. That should not be our path.

We must push for reforms heeding to the voice of the young and future generations, including from Africa, where the demand to correct the historical injustices grows ever stronger. Otherwise, we simply risk sending the Council down the path of oblivion and irrelevance.

Thank You.

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