State representatives at the United Nations have called for fundamental amendments to the Provisional Rules of Procedure of the Security Council over decisions on international peace and security, including veto mechanisms.
Saudi Arabia led the calls for “permanent Arab representation” in the world’s highest-ranking body on upholding international security, while Kuwait said the responsibility for drafting resolutions, statements and reports should not be limited to specific countries from permanent members.
This came during an open debate session organized by the Permanent Mission of Kuwait to the UN, which presides over the Security Council for the month of February. The session focused on improving efficiency, transparency, inclusiveness and accountability amid the rising and complex crises facing peacekeeping operations.
Security Council Report Executive Director Ian Martin expressed frustration over peacekeeping operations suffering from a lack of effecting dialogue, a commitment believed to be core to upholding international security.
Saudi Arabia's Permanent Ambassador to the UN Abdullah bin Yahya Al-Mouallimi said the kingdom "is at the forefront of countries that believe that there is an urgent need to move forward in the process of reforming the Security Council."
Backing Maalmi’s stance, the Australian delegate said that 2017 saw the largest number of votes in more than two decades, hampering the Council's decisive work on the horrendous crimes in the Syrian conflict.
The Mexican delegate also noted that his country had proposed with France "to limit the use of the veto in cases of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide."
Kuwait stressed that the high-level dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, which is facilitated by the European Union, remains the most appropriate framework for settling all outstanding issues between them in search for fair and sustainable solutions.
This came in a speech delivered by Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi during a session of the Security Council on the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) on Wednesday.
According to the Kuwait state-owned news agency KUNA, Otaibi stressed that Kuwait fully supports the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Zahir Tanin, in carrying out his duties and appreciates the vital role of the UN over the past period to help Kosovo build its institutions in implementation of Security Council resolutions, in particular Resolution 1244 of 1999.
