14 September 2007
The “Open-Ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and increase in the Membership of the Security Council and Other Matters Related to the Security Council” met today in a closed session at the United Nations to finalize discussions of their year-end progress report to the General Assembly. Initially prepared by the Chairperson and President of the General Assembly, H.E. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, the draft report was released on 7 August 2007 and rereleased with amendments on 10 September 2007.

In brief, the report summarizes the efforts made by the Working Group during the year and attempts to make recommendations on how to proceed during the next General Assembly session. By adopting the report, the General Assembly recognizes the efforts of the Working Group and formally places the issue of Security Council reform on the agenda of the next session of the General Assembly.

During tonight's discussions, it became clear that the Membership as a whole preferred a stronger wording of the draft report than originally proposed by the Chairperson. Although opinions were divided on how strong to make the text, most delegations favored an explicit reference to undertaking “intergovernmental negotiations” during the 62nd session.

After hours of heated negotiations Member States finally reached a consensus on the wording, effectively changing paragraph 21, sub paragraph C to: “Urges the Working Group to exert efforts during the sixty-second session, aimed at achieving general agreement among Member States in the consideration of all issues relevant to the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council.” Sub paragraph D was changed to:“Decides that the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matter related to the Security Council should be considered during the 62nd session of the General Assembly, so that further concrete results may be achieved, including though intergovernmental negotiations, building on the progress achieved so far, particularly in the 61st session, as well as the positions and proposals made by all Member States.”

The report will be presented, as amended, for adoption to the General Assembly on Monday, 17 September 2007.