Cuba calls for the democratization of the United Nations Security Council

New York, 25 November 2019. The Deputy Permanent Representative and Chargé d'affaires a.i. of Cuba to the United Nations, Ambassador Ana Silvia Rodríguez Abascal, addressed the General Assembly today, presenting Cuba's position on agenda item 122: Question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council.

The Cuban diplomat stated that the main objective of the comprehensive reform of the Security Council, including its working methods, should be to make it a transparent, democratic and representative body. As a consequence, she added, a set of rules of procedure will have to be adopted, since the current rules of procedure continue to be provisional; and its membership will have to be expanded, both in the category of permanent and non-permanent members, in order to rectify the underrepresentation of developing countries.

She argued that the membership of the Council should reach no less than 26 members, including an increase of new permanent members, at least 2 countries from Africa, 2 developing countries from Asia and 2 from Latin America and the Caribbean. Likewise, she added, the category of non-permanent members should be extended to at least 15 members.

The Caribbean representative also referred to the right of veto, which Cuba has expressed its opposition to in various scenarios. However, as long as it is not removed, the new seats created in the category of permanent member should have the same privileges and rights as the current ones, including the power of veto.

Likewise, Rodríguez Abascal called for an end to the Council's interference in matters outside its purview, particularly in those matters that fall under the mandate of the UN General Assembly.

Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations