Kuwait renews call for reforming, expanding UNSC

The State of Kuwait expressed hope current session of the United Nations General Assembly would witness tangible progress in efforts for reforming and expanding and boosting performance of the UN Security Council. Although there is great need for boosting process of reforming the UNSC and unanimous support among the council member states for principle of such a process, there have been no tangible steps in this respect, said the deputy permanent delegate of the State of Kuwait to the UN, Abdul-Aziz Al-Jarallah. Al-Jarallah was addressing the 76th session of the UN General Assembly during a debate on just representation at the council, prospects of increasing its members and relevant issues. The Kuwaiti diplomat affirmed necessity of reaching an agreement regarding expansion and reforming the council. Even though 20 years have passed since start of discussions aimed at increasing membership of the council and improving its methods of action, and despite a series of initiatives and proposals in this respect, "this issue continues to stumble, thus its tackling would require political will to harmonize views to reach the aspired goal." He also indicated that greater effort and collective action were needed at this level. Rapid developments facing the international community warrant greater determination for sake of activating the UNSC so it may become more capable of facing challenges, and to broaden states' representation in it, noted Al-Jarallah in his appeal to the member states to exert more effort for concrete steps in this regard. Kuwait believes that the council should be restructured in a manner that would develop its coordination with the other UN agencies and bodies without meddling in jurisdictions of these bodies, he added. On veto power enjoyed by the five permanent members of the council, Al-Jarallah called for trimming such prerogatives and make them restricted to issues that fall under Chapter VII. Al-Jarallah also indicated that the expansion of the council should result in giving a chance to small, Arab and Muslim nations to have a chance for representation. He congratulated the new non-permanent members of the council; Australia, Luxembourg, South Korea, Rwanda and the Argentines on their election last month for the 2013-2014 term.