New York, 7 November 2016. “We support renewed and steady efforts aimed at speeding up the negotiations on the Security Council Reform, an item included in the General Assembly Agenda during more than 20 years”, reiterated the Cuban Ambassador Humberto Rivero Rosario, at the General Debate on the “Question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council”.
Before the 71st UNGA Plenary, the Ambassador considered that the round of negotiations and the compilation of positions, confirm that the great majority of Member States support, at least, the widening of the Security Council in its two categories, permanent and non-permanent members; eliminating the right to the veto; reforming deeply the working methods, which would also include the definite adoption of the Council’s Rules of Procedure so that they stop being provisional; and respect for the corresponding mandates of the General Assembly and the Security Council in compliance with the UN Charter.
In like manner, he confirmed that Cuba is ready to carry out negotiations required by this process without any further delay, which shall be “inclusive and transparent”. At the same time, he reiterated certain positions of Cuba thereof, such as, to favor a broad increase of the Security Council membership; to rise above the unjustifiable lack of representation of developing countries; not to favor the creation of new categories of members, which would delve deeper into the existent differences and foster division within the Organ, and in reference to the veto, he reiterated Cuba’s firm conviction that it should be eliminated.
Additionally, he offered priority to the reform of the working methods and called upon a transparent Security Council, where closed consultations are the exception and not the rule and which cares after issues entitled to it and does not interfere in that of other main UN organs.
“Cuba is ready to meet that challenge successfully”, the Ambassador confirmed when concluding his statement. (Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations)