The “Uniting for Consensus” Group (UfC: Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Malta, Mexico, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Spain, Türkiye) met on the 22nd September, 2022, at Ministerial level, on the margins of the High-Level week of the United Nations 77th General Assembly in New York.
In light of the deterioration of the current international security scenario, the UfC underlined the even more imperative need and urgency for a United Nations Security Council reform, that makes it a more democratic, accountable, representative, transparent and effective organ.
The UfC reiterated their conviction that a comprehensive Security Council reform, that strengthens and enhances both regional representation and equitable geographical distribution, can only be achieved through an increase of the number of non-permanent, elected, members, and the improvement of the Security Council’s methods of work.
Recalling that with the UfC proposal Africa would become the largest group in a reformed Council, Asia-Pacific would have the highest percentage increase, Latin America and Eastern Europe would also double their representation and SIDS and Small States would be assigned a rotating two year non-permanent seat, that would ensure their continued presence in the Council, the UfC reiterated their steadfast commitment to a Security Council reform that meets the aspirations of the entire UN membership to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security.
The UfC reaffirmed its full commitment to a continued constructive engagement with the President of the General Assembly, the Chair/s of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on The Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council and Other Matters Related to the Security Council, all Member States and negotiating Groups. As its name implies, the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) is a Member State driven process and remains the sole legitimate setting for discussion on Security Council reform. Only with the widest possible political support from all the UN membership will it be possible to reach a fair and equitable solution.
New York, September 22nd 2022