Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform

Dear Co-Chairs,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Benelux countries: Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and my own country, Luxembourg.

I would like to start by congratulating you, Ambassador Albanai and Ambassador Marschik on your re-appointment as IGN Co-Chairs. The Benelux countries appreciate your relentless efforts to advance Security Council reform. Under your effective leadership, Members States initiated discussions on concrete reform models and reached an agreement on key actions for Security Council reform in the recently adopted Pact for the Future.

We fully support your commitment to build on this progress and to focus on implementing the Pact for the Future. We also welcome your plans for the 79^th session as outlined in your letter of 30 October 2024. These include your proposals to further discuss all of the five clusters, as well as to hold structured dialogues on new and revised models presented by Member States and Groups. 

For today’s first IGN session of the 79^th session of the General Assembly, you have asked us to focus on two topics: categories of membership and representation of cross-regional groups.

I would like to make three points to clarify the Benelux countries’ position:

• First. We favor an expansion in both permanent and non-permanent membership categories that ensures a balance between the representativeness and effectiveness of an enlarged Council. The exact size of the enlarged Council should emerge from discussions between Member States on the key issues of ‘categories of membership’ and ‘regional representation’. We would also be open to consider the possibility of longer term non-permanent seats should this proposal form a basis for a compromise between the various groups.

• Second. The Benelux countries believe that any enlarged Security Council should be more representative of today’s world and in particular reflect the legitimate aspirations of the African Group. We support permanent representation for Africa. In addition, we support an increased representation of developing countries and small- and medium-sized Member States, including Small Island Developing States. We back the proposal for a rotating seat reserved exclusively for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). We are also supportive of the proposal as reflected in Liechtenstein’s revised model, which will discuss the day after tomorrow, that at least one member from the membership of the League of Arab States shall serve on the Security Council at any time.

• Third. The question of the veto is a key element of UN Security Council reform and inextricably linked with the other key issues of ‘categories of membership’ and ‘regional representation’. The use of the veto has often prevented the Security Council from effectively fulfilling its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. We have witnessed it again yesterday. Special consideration should be given to address ways to limit the use of the veto. All Members of the Security Council must adhere to article 27.3 of the UN Charter, which stipulates that a party to a dispute shall abstain from voting. We must thoroughly consider and discuss the potential adverse impact of additional veto powers on the functioning of a future expanded Security Council and the overall effectiveness of the Council.

Dear Co-Chairs,

Let me conclude by reiterating the fullest commitment and readiness of the Benelux countries to engage constructively in the upcoming IGN sessions. We must make progress on the implementation of the Pact for the Future and work towards a consolidated reform model. The overall objective should be to make the Council more effective, transparent, democratic, representative, and accountable. The start of text-based negotiations within a fixed time frame is a prerequisite for achieving this goal. You can count on our full support to this end.

I thank you.