New york: Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations in New York, delivered a statement on behalf of the Arab Group during the UN General Assembly session of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform. The statement emphasized the need for a comprehensive and balanced reform of the Security Council that aligns with contemporary international realities and garners broad consensus among member states.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the statement reaffirmed the Arab Group's commitment to constructive engagement in the reform process and collaboration with all partners towards meaningful reform. It highlighted the group's appreciation for the efforts of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Negotiations, stressing that discussions on the outcomes of the current session should consider the positions of all member states and negotiating groups. This approach aims to address all aspects of reform in an integrated manner.
The Arab Group's statement underscored that genuine progress in Security Council reform requires consensus and flexibility. It cautioned against imposing steps that lack broad agreement, which could potentially undermine the credibility of the negotiations and the unity of UN membership.
Regarding the Consolidated List, the statement asserted that any proposed model should be based on areas of convergence among negotiating groups and should fairly reflect all major proposals without exclusion or marginalization. Furthermore, it reiterated the group's stance on the issue of the veto, linking it closely to equitable representation within the Security Council. The statement emphasized that any credible reform must address existing structural imbalances, including the lack of permanent Arab representation despite the Arab Group's political and demographic significance and its central role in international peace and security matters.