UNGA adopted Document on Advancing Security Council Reforms

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 14 September 2015 unanimously adopted a document for reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC). The document was adopted without a vote.

In a draft decision submitted by Assembly President Sam Kutesa (Uganda), the body also decided to reaffirm its central role on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other related matters.

Further, the Assembly also decided to convene the Open-ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council and Other Matters related to the Security Council during the seventieth session starting from 15 September 2015, if member states so decided.

The proposal which was adopted for the first time in 23 years has been welcomed by India as it will boost India's bid for a permanent seat in the revamped world body.

Reaction of members to the decision
The adoption of the document has been termed by some members as “landmark and historic” and by some as technical rather than substantive progress.

For instance, delegate from Saint Lucia, speaking for the L.69 Group of Developing Countries, termed the adoption as “landmark” decision and a game-changing development in the shadow-boxing” that had thus far taken place behind the scenes.

Further, India’s speaker, associating with the “L.69” and “G4” groups (Brazil, Japan, Germany and India) called the adoption as “historic initiative.”

On the other hand, Italy’s delegate, speaking for the Uniting for Consensus Group said that it could not interpreted as an endorsement in “substance or procedure.” China called it as technical decision only.

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