Mr. President:
We appreciate the convening of this meeting to continue the discussions on an important issue on the United Nations agenda, such as Security Council reform.
Let me begin by congratulating the Permanent Representatives of Kuwait and Austria on their reappointment as Co-Chairs of the intergovernmental negotiations on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Council, during the 79th session of the General Assembly.
We wish them success in carrying out their duties and convey to them our full support in this process, while commend them for their efforts during the previous session.
Mr. President:
The IGN provides us with a space that we must use to promote a broad exchange among Member States and to continue to address the necessary reform of this body, through the detailed discussion of its five key items, as provided for in General Assembly decision 62/557.
Cuba's position on Security Council reform is historic. We reiterate our support for a comprehensive reform of the Security Council, including its working methods, to make it a truly transparent, democratic and representative body.
Achieving this goal requires transparent informal negotiations and the publication of minutes of the Council's closed consultations, which should be the exception rather than the rule. It is also necessary to adopt its rules of procedure, which continue to be provisional to date.
The annual report presented to this General Assembly must be exhaustive and analytical of the Council's work, making it possible to evaluate the causes and consequences of its decisions.
With regard to the membership of the Council, Cuba has always advocated its expansion in both categories of membership, permanent and non-permanent, in the search for a more balanced composition of the body that would correct the geographical imbalance and the insufficient representation of developing countries, since they make up a large part of the UN membership.
This is a historic demand.
As we have reiterated before, this enlargement should not be partial or selective, nor should it imply an increase in the membership of the Security Council to the detriment of developing countries.
The membership of the Council should not include less than 26 members. This expansion should include an increase in the number of new permanent members, at least 2 countries from Africa, 2 developing countries from Asia, and 2 from Latin America and the Caribbean, to participate in the relevant decisions of the Security Council.
It is not fair that entire regions such as Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean are not represented in this category.
Furthermore, the category of non-permanent members should be expanded to at least 15 members.
Mr. President:
We do not support the creation of new membership categories or sub-categories, as this would deepen existing differences and promote division within the Security Council.
Cuba has always opposed the existence of the right of veto. However, until the veto is eliminated, the new seats to be created in the category of permanent members should have the same prerogatives and rights as the current members, including the right of veto. No selective or discriminatory criteria should be established.
We also consider it essential that the Security Council cease to interfere in matters outside its remit, in particular in matters falling within the mandate of the General Assembly. The functions and mandates laid down in the Charter of the United Nations must be respected.
In conclusion, we express our willingness to continue to work towards a solution that can meet with the broadest political acceptance among Member States. We must continue to promote multilateralism and the credibility of the United Nations.
Thank you