REMARKS BY H.E. Mr. SRGJAN KERIM PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

ON THE JOINT DEBATE ON AGENDA ITEM 9 "REPORT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL" AND AGENDA ITEM 122 ON "QUESTION OF THE EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION ON AND THE INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND RELATED MATTERS"

UNITED NATIONS 12 NOVEMBER 2007

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. Today, the Assembly will consider agenda item 9 the 'Report of the Security Council'. I hope that our consideration of this item will contribute to strengthening relations between the General Assembly and the Security Council so that together both bodies can better promote the values and principles of the United Nations. We will also consider agenda item 122 on the 'Question of the equitable representation on and the increase in the membership of the Security Council and related matters'. In the fourteen years since this matter has been under discussion in the Open-ended Working Group we have realized the complexity, sensitivity and growing relevance of the Security Council reform. At the 2005 Summit, world leaders recognized the importance of malcing progress on Security Council reform as an essential element of our overall efforts to reform the United Nations. They committed to support early reform of the Council in order to make it more representative, efficient and transparent, and to further enhance its effectiveness and the legitimacy of its decisions. To further these goals, world leaders also supported efforts to adapt the working methods of the Security Council, by increasing the involvement of States who are not members of the Council. Excellencies, In her speech to the General Assembly on December 11 2006, President Al-Khalifa urged the membership to take a fresh and open minded approach to the issue of Security Council reform. Progress was achieved and I would encourage the membership to continue in this spirit.

As a result of the comprehensive consultation processes that have been conducted during the sixty-first session, we now have a clear understanding of the positions and views of all Member States, as well as, the valuable reports of the Facilitators. Taking into account the progress achieved so far, the membership agreed to consider the issue during the sixty-second.session so that further concrete results may be achieved, including through intergovernmental negotiations. Through these efforts Member States have reached a new stage that offers the prospect of achieving the goal of comprehensive reform of the Security Council. Excellencies,

I wish to assure you of my determination to work with all of you in an open and
transparent manner to establish the most appropriate process, based on the views of the entire membership. Since the beginning of the sixty-second session I have held informal consultations with all interested parties. Member States have articulated their preparedness, taking into account the progress achieved, to use the current momentum to move forward. Based on these consultations, our objective should be to develop a framework, in order to begin intergovernmental negotiations, by identifying and reaching agreement on the various negotiable elements. In this respect, we should be guided by the Report of the Working Group (A/61/47), which was adopted by this Assembly on 17 September 2007, and the positions and proposals of Member Sates. Member States should have primary ownership and responsibility over such a process. I therefore look forward to hearing your substantive proposals and views on how to embark on the next stage in this important process so that we can achieve concrete results during the sixty-second session.

We must bear in mind that Security Council reform is an integral part of strengthening the United Nations. I would therefore encourage all Member States to remain actively engaged and committed to addressing this issue. As President of the General Assembly I only have one request: that we work together in good faith with a view to achieving tangible results with the broadest possible agreement during this session.

'Hic Rhodes, hie Salta'
Thank you.