Foreign Ministers of Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan Advocate for Expansion
In a press release on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the significant discussions held among the Foreign Ministers of the “Group of Four” (G4)—Mauro Vieira of Brazil, Annalena Baerbock of Germany, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar of India, and Yoko Kamikawa of Japan. The meeting took place during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, where the ministers collectively advocated for the expansion of the UN Security Council.
Urgent Call for Reform
The G4 Ministers reiterated their demand for both permanent and non-permanent membership expansion within the Security Council, a call that has garnered substantial support from various member states throughout the negotiation process. They underscored the necessity of enhancing the Council’s legitimacy and effectiveness through increased participation from developing nations and those making significant contributions to international peace and security.
Addressing Under-Representation
The ministers emphasized the need for better representation of under-represented and unrepresented regions, including Africa, the Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. They reaffirmed their commitment to the Common African Position (CAP), as articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
Positive Progress Amid Challenges
Reflecting on the previous UN General Assembly session, the G4 Ministers acknowledged the efforts of the Co-Chairs of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN), which included numerous debates on proposed reform models. However, they expressed concern over the lack of substantial progress in these negotiations, urging the urgent initiation of text-based discussions. The ministers welcomed the growing support for this approach, noting its importance for adherence to UN Charter guidelines.
A Vision for the Future
The G4 Ministers discussed the current challenges facing the multilateral system, emphasizing that a comprehensive reform of the Security Council is vital to align the UN with contemporary geopolitical realities. They welcomed the upcoming “Summit of the Future” on September 22-23, 2024, where global leaders are expected to advocate for urgent Security Council reform.
Additionally, they commended Brazil’s initiative to launch a Call to Action on Global Governance Reform during its G20 presidency, highlighting the pressing need for transformation in global governance.
In summary, the G4 Ministers remain steadfast in their commitment to reforming the UN Security Council, recognizing it as essential for a more equitable and effective global governance structure.
