CLOSING REMARKS BY H.E. SHEIKHA HAYA RASHED AL KHALIFA THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT THE 8TH INFORMAL MEETING OF THE OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP ON THE QUESTION OF EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION ON AND INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS NEW YORK

4 May 2007

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, We have just listened to the last speaker of the 8'h informal meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council and other Matters related to the Security 'Council for the sixty-first session. You have unanimously reaffirmed the need to reform the Council. In total, more than 60 delegations spoke. The large number of speakers and the presence of so many Permanent Representatives is a clear demonstration of Member States' interest in aid commitment to achieving a meaningful reform of the Security Council. You have stated that maintaining the status quo is not an acceptable option. And, you have also emphasized the need to maintain the momentum that has been generated by the current process. I am pleased with the warm welcome and overwhelming support you have expressed for the diligent work of the facilitators and their report. 1once again command the facilitators for performing their duties in good faith. You have also acknowledged that the most important consideration at this stage is to establish a result-oriented process, which could enable us to reach a solution with the broadest possible agreement. Excellencies, I would like to point out that I established the facilitation process with a clear objective in mind: this was to provide the membership with a fair, objective and comprehensive assessment of the current state of affairs concerning Security Council reform. Thanks to the dedicated work of the facilitators, I consider that we have achieved this objective. The challenge before us now is to take a few more steps forward.

I believe that the evaluation and suggestions contained in the report can serve as a good

basis for our future discussions; without prejudging existing positions of Member States. You have called on me to continue to lead this process. I am personally committed to ensure that the current momentum is not lost.
I have carefully listened to your comments, views and suggestions. I will consider

carefully all of them before reverting to you with my proposal on how best move the process forward.