The Foreign Ministers of the G4 nations, comprising India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan, convened during the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly session to hold discussions pertaining to the reform of the United Nations Security Council.

In a meeting held, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira of Brazil, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock of Germany, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa of Japan, and Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs, discussed the progress of negotiations for UN reforms.

“The Ministers underscored that multilateralism is under significant strain due to multiple and complex crises. Moreover, they concurred that the UN Security Council’s inability to effectively and timely address contemporary global challenges reinforces the urgent need for its comprehensive reform so that it better reflects contemporary geopolitical realities,” the joint statement read.

The Ministers emphasized the imperative nature of expanding the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in both its permanent and non-permanent membership categories. This expansion, they noted, is crucial for enhancing the council's representation, legitimacy, and overall effectiveness.

Furthermore, they reached a consensus on the necessity to elevate the role and involvement of developing nations in the Security Council, spanning both permanent and non-permanent membership categories.

In recognition of historical imbalances in representation within the Security Council, the Ministers underscored the significance of bolstering the participation of groups and regions that have been historically underrepresented or entirely unrepresented. Such groups and regions include Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

“In this context, the G4 Ministers reaffirmed their strong support to the Common African Position (CAP) and emphasized that Africa needs to be represented in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of a reformed and expanded Security Council, in line with the CAP as enshrined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration,” the joint statement further stated.

The G4 Foreign Ministers expressed significant concern regarding the ongoing lack of substantial advancements in Security Council reform within the Intergovernmental Negotiations framework (IGN).

“In this context, the Ministers noted the Co-Chair’s proposal for a structured dialogue on individual models proposed by States and Groups and encouraged renewed efforts by the PGA and the Co-Chairs to commence text-based negotiations without any further delay in the IGN” the statement read.

“They stressed, in doing so, the importance of adhering to the decision-making requirements and working methods laid out in the Charter of the United Nations and the rules and procedures of the General Assembly” it added.

“They reiterated their commitment to address the issue in the upcoming 78th Session of the UNGA and agreed to intensify dialogue with all Member States, with an aim to achieve concrete outcomes within a fixed time frame,” the statement further said.

The G4 nations also concurred on the necessity to bolster the role and involvement of G4 member countries, recognizing their significant contributions to maintaining global peace and security within the framework of the Security Council.

Additionally, the G4 Ministers reaffirmed their mutual support for one another's candidacies as they aspire to secure new permanent memberships within a reformed Security Council. They emphasized their commitment to pursuing this objective through an open, transparent, and democratic process, aligning with the principles outlined in the UN Charter.

“The Ministers stressed that the future of international governance structures rests on their capacity to adapt and remain fit for purpose. The longer it takes to reform the UN Security Council, the more its effectiveness will be called into question,” the joint statement added.

Image source: ANI