NEW YORK: The State of Kuwait believes reforming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and fair representation in it constitute some of the bases for its full scale rehabilitation. The Kuwaiti stance was expressed by the acting Charge d'Affaires of the State of Kuwait's Permanent Mission at the UN, Minister Plenipotentiary Bader Al-Munayyekh, while addressing the UN General Assembly on behalf of his country and the Arab Group. The session basically addressed the issue of just representation at the UNSC and related topics.

Munayyekh indicated that the fair representation and other warranted steps were needed to render the council more effective in facing global challenges in a transparent, neutral and credible manner. In shadow of the difficult global conditions due to the novel coronavirus, that has affected various aspects of the life, it has become certain that multi-lateral international action has warranted real and comprehensive reforms in the international organization, the ranking Kuwaiti diplomat noted.

The Arab Group, he has added, affirms that the UNGA is the sole platform for reaching a consensus on expanding and rehabilitating the UNSC according to the UNGA Resolution 557/62. Member states of the Arab League have called for permanent Arab representation with full jurisdictions, namely with respect of occupying the UNSC permanent seats, once the council has been expanded. Moreover, fair representation warrants proper representation in the category of non-permanent seats.

"There are several challenges facing us with respect of the council reformation, namely the veto right; arbitrary usage of it in many cases undermined decision making at the Security Council, making it unable to undertake certain responsibilities and necessary measures for safeguarding international peace and security," Munayyekh elaborated.

Regrettably, the bulk of veto practicing cases, particularly during the past three decades, were related to issues concerning the Arab region. The main objective for the UNSC reformation and expansion should be ensuring fair representation for all regional and geographical groups, Munayyekh explained further the Kuwaiti stand.

The Arab Group deserves to be well represented for it represents some 350 million people and comprises 22 states, 12 percent of the UN memberships. Moreover, in this vein, a large number of the issues brought to the UNSC concern the Arab region, another factor that affirms necessity of fair and adequate Arab representation in an expanded council. - KUNA