Kuwait calls for permanent seat in Security Council

Kuwait stressed the importance of enhancing Arab representation in the United Nations Security Council.

On behalf of the Arab countries, Kuwait called for having a permanent Arab representation with full powers in the Security Council in the event of any future expansion of it, stressing that fair representation also requires proportional Arab representation in the category of non-permanent seats in the “expanded Security Council.

Kuwait’s Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi made the remarks on behalf of the Arab Group at the first meeting during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly for intergovernmental negotiations, on the issue of “fair representation in the Security Council and increasing the number of its members and related issues.”

Otaibi said that such call by the Arab group come “based on objective criteria represented by the Arab population density and the number of Arab countries in the United Nations, in addition to the fact that a large part of the Council’s work and issues on its agenda relate to the Arabic region, which requires fair and proportionate Arab representation in the expanded council.”

Earlier in November, Kuwait’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Bader Al Munikh stated that the issue of fair representation in the Security Council is important and that they are determined to intensify efforts aimed at achieving comprehensive reform.

Al Munikh pointed out that the Arab Group represents around 350 million and that the 22 Arab countries represent around 12 per cent of the UN general membership, therefore they need fair and proportional representation.

“The main challenge ahead of us regarding the issue of reform is the right to veto, which in most cases undermines the credibility of the decision-making process in the Security Council,” Al Munikh said.