Plenary

STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR VANU GOPALA MENON, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE PLENARY ON 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, 2 JUNE 2010

Mr Chairman,

My delegation would like to thank you for preparing the negotiation text that is the subject of our discussion today. Its production has been long sought and long overdue. Nevertheless, we welcome your resolute efforts to finally come up with a text. This text will keep the momentum in the reform process going and in the same vein, we agree with your proposal to direct our efforts now to finding common elements in the text and considering ways to shorten its length.

Mr Chairman,

My delegation agrees with the proposed framework of the negotiation text. Moreover, as a member of the S-5, Singapore takes great interest in the section on the Working Methods of the Security Council, which the group has always highlighted as being a critical part of Security Council Reform. This is because it relates directly to the efficiency of the Council. As we proceed in the 5th round of intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform, Singapore emphasises that the issue of Working Methods must remain an integral part of the package. Reform in the Working Methods will help Member States inspire real transparency, inclusivity and consultation by the Security Council.

This ties in with my delegation's next point, namely, that this inter-governmental forum must remain inclusive and transparent, to ensure that the interests of all Member States are heard and weighed in the balance. Singapore rejects any and all attempts to strike 'grand bargains' amongst a limited number of states. Such deals are neither representative nor legitimate. There must be opportunities given to all members, especially small states, to have a say in the outcome of this reform. This is only fair since the work of the Security Council affects all of us. We do not accept any suggestion or proposal that only favours the interests of 'big boys', particularly if this occurs at the expense of small states. Though we may be small, we (the small states) constitute the majority of UN Member States and our interests should not be sidelined or ignored during the negotiations.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

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