安保理作業方法に関する安保理公開討論：安保理文書手続作業部会(IWG)議長（山﨑大使）によるブリーフィング

 
I am grateful for the opportunity to brief today as Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions (IWG).
 
Given the challenging political dynamics worldwide, the solemn responsibility of the Security Council to maintain international peace and security has never been more crucial. The effective functioning of the Council is essential for it to make timely decisions. For such decisions to be carried out, understanding and support from the wider UN membership are essential. In this vein, we, the Council members, need to remind ourselves that efforts to enhance the transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness of the Council’s work are critical. What is at stake is not only the Council’s reputation and ability to fulfill its mandate, but the relevance of the entire United Nations.
 
Upon the request by the Council, the IWG has consistently been deliberating on how to improve the working methods of the Council, and as a result, a series of Notes by the President of the Security Council have been issued. Since the adoption of Note 507 in 2017, which is the compilation of prior Notes, 16 new Notes by the President on the working methods have been adopted. Many of them were issued in response to demands from the wider membership during annual debates since 2010 as well as in other fora. In particular, the adoption of the Note regarding the arrangement of penholderships (S/2023/945) in December 2023 demonstrates that the IWG is seriously committed to the improvement of the working methods, and to hearing the voices of the Member States. In this regard, we also note informal exchanges of views with the wider membership on the introduction of the annual reports of the Security Council in line with Note 507.
 
On January 19^th, I convened the first IWG meeting of 2024. As the Chair, I stated that my intention is to take a practical approach to realize the long-standing theme of enhancing transparency, efficiency and effectiveness of the Council. In this regard, it was agreed among the Council members to initiate an update to Note 507. It is the Chair’s intention to build on previous efforts, incorporating all the presidential Notes in one document for easier reference, while streamlining, editing, and if necessary, adding provisions responding to contemporary needs, thereby improving the implementation of Note 507.
 
The invaluable views expressed during this open debate by the participants will be incorporated as much as possible in this ongoing process of updating Note 507. I am certain that proposals put forward today will help shape future discussions of the IWG. The IWG members welcome constructive engagement by all participants today.
 
I cannot stress enough the significance of the role of the working methods of the Security Council in making sure the Council can deliver on its mandate. As Chair of the IWG, I will make our utmost effort to ensure the Council can fulfill its responsibility and maintain the trust of the wider UN membership.
 
I thank you.