Kuwait has called, on behalf of the Arab countries, for a permanent Arab representation with full powers in the Security Council in case of any expansion. Fair representation also requires proportional Arab representation in the category of non-permanent seats in the enlarged Security Council, Kuwait's Ambassador Mansour Al Otaibi said on behalf of the Arab Group. The diplomat was speaking at the first meeting during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly for intergovernmental negotiations, on the issue of "fair representation in the Security Council and increasing the number of its members and related issues." Al Otaibi said that such call by the Arab group was "based on objective criteria represented by the Arab population density and the number of Arab countries in the United Nations." It is also "in addition to the fact that a large part of the Council's work and issues on its agenda relate to the Arabic region, which requires fair and proportionate Arab representation in the expanded council." The Arab group adheres to the realization of a "real and comprehensive" reform of the Security Council, especially as it is the main body entrusted with maintaining international peace and security under the United Nations Charter so that it becomes "more capable and effective" to face and overcome the relevant challenges within a "more representative, transparent, neutral and credible framework." On the political declaration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, Al Otaibi noted that the Arab group agrees on a "new life" in negotiations for reform and expansion of the Security Council, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported. He pointed out that the group sees that the negotiations should focus on the five reform issues instead of being engaged in useless dialogues about the governmental negotiation mechanisms. He called for working to reach a solution to achieve the interests of all parties, including the Arab group, instead of focusing effort on disagreement over the drafting of documents that will not bring anything new to the known balances. Al Otaibi said the group affirms the cohesion of the five reform themes, and its vision says that the main and comprehensive goal of the reform process is to ensure that all geographical and regional groups are represented fairly and appropriately in the membership of the Council. The reform process should focus on 'lifting the injustice' on developing countries, mainly the Arab and African countries that are not represented in all permanent seats of the Security Council, he said. Al Otaibi pointed to the importance of specifying standards used in holding a seat or seats at any category and said all standards should be implemented fairly and equally in all regions. He said that the Arab Group affirmed its determination to continue positive and effective participation during the meetings of the government negotiations. — Bahrain News Agency
