The Group of 4 commend the report as yet another sign of the Secretary-General's strong leadership in promoting a multilateral system that will enable the international community to effectively meet the challenges it faces in the 21st century.
The Group of 4 fully support the call for a comprehensive approach to reform. Today's threats are interconnected. Development, security and human rights are interlinked. A challenge to one is a challenge to all.
Brazil, Germany, India and Japan share the Secretary-General's view that the United Nations remains the appropriate forum to collectively confront the threats we face today. At the same time, it is true that its institutions need to be adapted so as to reflect today's political realities.
This is especially valid with regard to the Security Council. The Secretary-General, in this respect, is very clear and the Group of 4 fully support his proposals that
• "Member States should agree to take a decision on this important issue before the summit in September 2005."
• "It would be very preferable for Member States to take this vital decision by consensus, but if they are unable to reach consensus this must not become an excuse for postponing action."
The debates in the General Assembly over the last months have demonstrated that a clear majority of states is in favour of a reform of the Security Council on the basis of Model A, that is to say in favour of enlargement in both categories of membership by including both developed and developing countries. Africa must also be represented in both categories of membership.
In the coming weeks Brazil, Germany, India and Japan therefore look forward to working together with all Member States, the President of the General Assembly as well as his facilitators to reach agreement on this important issue. It is the hope of the Group of 4 that, with the support of the overwhelming majority of the membership, it would be possible to adopt a resolution on Security Council reform by summer. After over a decade of discussion, the United Nations finally need to make reform happen.
Related Information:
Report of the Secretary-General |
