INTERVENTION BY H.E. ZAHIR TANIN PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF AFGHANISTAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK CHAIR OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATIONS ON THE QUESTION OF EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION AND INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE COUNCIL AT AN INFORMAL PLENARY SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 22 JUNE 2009 UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK Check against delivery 1 Excellencies, distinguished delegates, 1. This will be an auspicious week. Starting on Wednesday, the international community will gather to discuss an important issue: the global economic and financial crisis. But we begin the week today, with a different but equally significant task. Today, in accordance with 62/557, our basis and guide, we begin the final exchange of the Second Round of our intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council Reform. 2. In our last meeting, we looked at the composition of the Security Council. Today, we will look at its functions and powers, its voting, and its procedure, comprising the key issues of the relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly, the question of the veto, and the working methods of the Council. This exchange will give you the opportunity to build on the first round and explore the many linkages between these issues, along with relevant negotiables. 2 3. Member states are, as always, free to express their views on any issue they deem relevant. However, I once again request that member states limit their interventions to three minutes, to allow everyone the opportunity to weigh in. And as has become customary, member states will be given the opportunity to intervene twice, so they can react to and reciprocate the flexibility shown by their peers. 4. Let me congratulate the membership on the energy and dedication to progress that has been in evidence in this round as in the first. In going forward with these negotiations, I urge you to continue to display the flexibility, compromise, and mutual understanding that will be a crucial part of any solution. As a well-known British writer once said, "If you can't go around it, over it, or through it, you had better negotiate with it." As I have said before, I am here to inspire and facilitate, as I did with my Overview; only you can take the process to the next level. On that note, I will turn the floor over to you. Thank you. 3 4 INTERVENTION BY H.E. ZAHIR TANIN PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF AFGHANISTAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK CHAIR OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATIONS ON THE QUESTION OF EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION AND INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE COUNCIL AT AN INFORMAL PLENARY SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 23 June 2009 UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK 1 Excellencies, distinguished delegates, 1. Let me conclude by stating that this was another excellent exchange. Building on Decision 62/557, you have carefully looked at the functions and powers of the Security Council, its voting, and its procedure, comprising the key issues of the relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly, the question of the veto, and the working methods of the Council. Earlier in this second round you already addressed the concept of review or challenge and the composition of the Council, comprising the key issues of size, categories of membership and regional representation. 2. Throughout the three exchanges, comprehensiveness and compromise became the keywords of this round. Inspired by my Overview, you explored the many connections between the key issues, along with relevant negotiables, and further unlocked convergence potential. Some resolution texts were even submitted. 2 3. Now, repetition is to be avoided. This is the sense of the house. Common sense. Hopefully, during the third round we can add concreteness as a keyword, next to compromise and comprehensiveness. Only then can we make decisive progress during this session. After having carefully listened to the interventions of all of you during this round, I continue to believe, that decisive progress is within reach. As I said earlier, this is not optimism. This is realism. 4. You can continue to count on your Chair, unflinchingly impartial to any of the positions, but partial to progress. As always, I will discharge my responsibilities with Decision 62/557 as lodestar and guided by the UN Charter, the World Summit Outcome document, the relevant UN rules and procedures, legal advice and past practice. In early July, right after a number of highlevel meetings both here in New York and abroad, you can expect to receive another letter from the Chair on the further implementation of Decision 62/557 during this session. 3 5. Ultimately, the responsibility to implement it is yours. The responsibility to reform is yours. It's not an easy task, but remember this. While the road to decisive progress may be laborious, as an Afghan proverb goes, there is a path to the top of even the highest mountain. Thank you. 4