Algeria has called for a profound reform of the UN Security Council to make it more representative, fair, and effective. The call was made by Algerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed Attaf, during the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. He emphasized the need for reform to address the selective and dual application of international law.
Minister Attaf highlighted the importance of enhancing the role and authority of the UN General Assembly. He stressed that reforming the Security Council is crucial to making it more representative, fair, and effective. This, he said, would put an end to the selective and dual application of international law. Algeria's call for reform aligns with the African position, which seeks a permanent and fair representation of Africa in the Security Council with full powers.
The Algerian minister reiterated his country's support for the African common position. He pointed out that correcting the historical injustice against Africa requires a permanent and fair African representation in the Security Council with full powers. This, he noted, is essential for addressing the imbalances in the international decision-making process.
Minister Attaf emphasized that reforming the UN system is no longer an institutional luxury or an option that can be postponed indefinitely. He argued that the profound changes the world has witnessed necessitate a more just, representative, and equitable international system. The current state of international relations, he said, requires a thorough review of the UN system.
The minister highlighted the importance of trust in multilateral action. He noted that if the institutions of multilateralism reflect the balances of a bygone era, it is challenging to request that peoples trust in them. He also emphasized that international justice cannot be achieved without addressing the historical imbalances that still characterize the structure of international decision-making.
Minister Attaf stressed that the issue at hand is not a transient crisis in the international system but a profound review of collective conscience and the ability to preserve and develop the system established after two world wars. He referenced the theme of the current session of the General Assembly, which focuses on restoring trust and managing change.
The Algerian minister concluded by emphasizing the importance of the UN as a common house where diplomacy regains its place, and trust in institutions is restored. He highlighted that respect for international law must become a shared commitment, not a matter of personal preference. This, he said, is crucial for achieving the goals of the UN and ensuring a more just and peaceful world.
Key points
- Algeria calls for a profound reform of the UN Security Council to make it more representative, fair, and effective.
- The reform aims to address the selective and dual application of international law and ensure a more just and equitable international system.
- Algeria's call for reform aligns with the African position, which seeks a permanent and fair representation of Africa in the Security Council with full powers.
