3 December 2008

The General Assembly met on 18, 19 and 20 November 2008 in the annual joint debate on the question of the equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and related matters and on Report of the Security Council (A/63/2) to the General Assembly. Following the debate, the PGA announced a time frame for the coming process leading to intergovernmental negotiations. First meeting on framework and modalities on Friday 5 December 2008.

During the three day long meeting in the General Assembly, almost 60 speakers reflected on the issues, with special attention given to the upcoming intergovernmental negotiations. Overall however, the debate mirrored the previous week’s debate in the Open-ended Working on Security Council reform.

For detailed summaries of statements made by Member States, please see the reports of the UN Department of Public Information: 18 November 2008, 19 November 2008, and 20 November 2008

Following the meeting in the General Assembly, the President of the General Assembly, Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, circulated a letter to Member States on 21 November 2008 outlining the process leading to intergovernmental negotiations in February 2009. According to the outline, the Working Group will meet on 5 December 2008 and in early January to discuss framework and modalities for the upcoming intergovernmental negotiations. In late January, the two meetings will be followed by a general discussion of the results of the consultations. Finally - and no later than 1 February, GA President will present these results to an informal plenary of the General Assembly with a view to beginning intergovernmental negotiations by March 2009.