The G4 Ministers representing Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan stressed that a comprehensive reform of the Security Council is an “essential part” of any endeavor to make the United Nations better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities and thus fit for the present and future.
Meeting at the UN General Assembly
Foreign Ministers from the “Group of Four” countries—Brazil’s Mauro Vieira, Germany’s Annalena Baerbock, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Japan’s Yoko Kamikawa—met on the margins of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 23. They gathered to evaluate the current state of the multilateral system and discuss potential reforms to the United Nations Security Council.
Joint Statement Highlights
In a joint press statement, the Ministry of External Affairs noted, “G4 Ministers observed the current significant challenges to the multilateral system with the United Nations at its core. They stressed that a comprehensive reform of the Security Council is an essential part of any endeavor to make the United Nations better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities and thus fit for the present and future.” They welcomed the “Summit of the Future” held on September 22 and 23, 2024, where world leaders called for urgent reform of the Security Council.
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Support for Brazil’s Initiative
In this regard, the Ministers of Germany, India, and Japan welcomed Brazil’s initiative of launching a Call to Action on Global Governance Reform, aligned with the Brazilian Presidency of the G20. They emphasized the importance of transforming global governance and reiterated that discussions on UN Security Council reform remain a top priority following the “Summit of the Future.”
Expansion of the Security Council
The G4 Ministers reiterated their call for the expansion of the UN Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, supported by a significant number of Member States throughout the negotiation process. This expansion aims to increase the Council’s legitimacy and ensure its effectiveness.
They also highlighted the need to enhance the role and participation of developing countries and those significantly contributing to international peace and security in both membership categories. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of improved representation for under-represented and unrepresented groups and regions, including Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The Ministers reaffirmed their strong support for the Common African Position (CAP), as enshrined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
Urgency for Progress in Negotiations
Reviewing the work of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, the G4 Ministers positively noted the efforts by the Co-Chairs of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN), including multiple rounds of debates on reform models proposed by States and Groups as a concrete step closer toward reform. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, “the G4 Ministers voiced strong concern over the persistent absence of substantial progress in the IGN and underlined the urgent need to begin text-based negotiations.”
Looking Ahead
In this context, the G4 Ministers welcomed the recent increase in support for text-based negotiations. They noted the importance of the IGN’s adherence to the decision-making requirements and working methods outlined in the UN Charter and the rules and procedures of the General Assembly.
Looking forward to the upcoming 80th anniversary of the United Nations in 2025, the G4 Ministers underscored the urgency of Security Council reform and their strong dedication to this goal. They urged the international community to engage wholeheartedly in these efforts during the 79th UN General Assembly and agreed to further reach out to, and work in good faith with, the wider UN membership to advance this issue.
The G4 Ministers reiterated their support for each other’s candidatures as aspiring new permanent members in a reformed Security Council.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Newsx staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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