20 August 2008

GA President Sgrjan Kerim recently tasked the Ambassadors of Egypt, Great Britain, Japan and Pakistan to produce a draft report on the activities of the Open-Ended Working Group on Security Council Reform during the 62rd GA session.

The report is also expected to include a draft resolution, which would - if approved by Member States - carry the work of the Working Group into the 63nd GA session slated to begin on 16 September 2008. However, a controversy over the exact wording of the report and the draft resolution is currently dividing the small group of Ambassadors. While some apparently are favoring language which would mandate the Working Group to initiate intergovernmental negotiations during the 63rd GA session, others vehemently oppose such language.

According to diplomats close to the process, India stands ready to present a rival draft resolution (closely resembling last GA session's L69-draft) in case the Ambassadors' report fails to include the notion of intergovernmental negotiations. Other Member States in favor of expanding the number of permanent seats of the Security Council have also expressed disappointment with the session's process, with a perceived lack of initiative by the GA President, as well as with the potential lack of any mentioning of intergovernmental negotiations in the upcoming Ambassadors' report.

The draft report - including resolution - of the four Ambassadors is scheduled for publication in late August. The Open-Ended Working Group will meet on Tuesday 2 September 2008 to consider both items.