Minister Fajon: More than ever, UN peacekeeping needs the Council’s united support
Today, the UN Security Council held its first open debate under Slovenia’s Presidency, titled…
Today, the UN Security Council held a high-level debate on the historical injustice and enhancing Africa’s effective representation on the Council. The world has changed significantly since 1945, but today’s composition of the Council does not reflect that. African countries remain underrepresented in the Council and in the global peace and security architecture. Slovenia underlined that the Security Council cannot remain frozen in time, but must evolve and adapt.
Reform of the UN Security Council is more pressing than ever. Among other questions it needs to address Africa’s underrepresentation that hinders the body’s ability to tackle effectively the complex challenges in Africa and elsewhere.
“Ensuring this Council’s full credibility and legitimacy means heeding the longstanding calls from the UN General Assembly, various geographic groups and some permanent members of this Council itself, to correct this injustice,” asserted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the debate. He added that “African countries host almost half of all UN peacekeeping operations, while contributing troops of their own to global hotspots over the years, including now in Lebanon.” Yet, they are not truly represented in the Security Council.
African initiatives should be supported and African needs met. Slovenia favors the redress of this historical injustice and calls for a fully legitimate, efficient and relevant Council. “We should work towards a Council where Africa’s voice is not only heard, but is integral in shaping policies for tackling challenges to peace and security both globally and regionally,” underlined Ambassador Samuel Žbogar. He also stressed the importance of continued cooperation between the Council and the African Union that helps to address security matters on the African continent – in Somalia, Sudan, the Sahel and others.
Africa deserves a strong and more permanent voice on the Security Council. Slovenia holds a positive view of the Common African Position and will continue to engage constructively in discussions on reform.
Today, the UN Security Council held its first open debate under Slovenia’s Presidency, titled…
The following statement was read today by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar…
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Samuel Žbogar (Slovenia)…
