New York, Ambassador Jamal Faris Al Ruwai, Bahrain’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, participated in a high-level UN Security Council meeting, where Arab countries underscored the need for genuine and comprehensive reform of the Security Council. This call for reform is in response to ongoing global conflicts, instability, and insecurity, particularly in the Arab and African regions, emphasising the urgency of intensifying efforts to achieve the desired changes.
Ambassador Al-Ruwai, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group in his capacity as Coordinator for Security Council reform, addressed the meeting chaired by President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Julius Maada Bio. The meeting focused on addressing historical injustices and enhancing Africa’s representation in the Council. The Ambassador referenced the recent thirty-third Arab Summit held in Bahrain, which urged the Security Council to fulfil its responsibility in maintaining international peace and security, including the implementation of resoluti
ons for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the prevention of further escalation in the Middle East.
He further stressed that the Arab Group sees the primary goal of Security Council reform as ensuring fair and appropriate representation for all geographical and regional groups in an expanded Council. This includes addressing the lack of representation for Arab and African states, particularly in the category of permanent seats, and ensuring proportional representation in non-permanent seats.
Ambassador Al-Ruwai also highlighted the enduring historical, cultural, political, social, economic, religious, and linguistic ties between Arab and African peoples. These relationships form the foundation of the African-Arab strategic partnership, which aims to uphold international justice, peace, and security. He noted that declarations from African-Arab Summits have affirmed both sides’ strong commitment to comprehensive UN reform, reflecting current global realities and striving for a more representative, regionally
balanced, democratic, and effective Security Council. The Ambassador called for continued coordination in line with the Ezulwini Consensus, the Sirte Declaration, and relevant resolutions from the League of Arab States.
He expressed appreciation for the African Union’s Committee of Ten in supporting Africa’s stance on UN reform and emphasised the importance of enhancing the participation of Arab and African troop-contributing countries in drafting UN peacekeeping resolutions. He also highlighted the need for continued Arab and African coordination at all levels, particularly among non-permanent Security Council members, to enhance the Council’s credibility and ensure balanced consideration of issues, especially those concerning Africa and the Middle East, with a particular focus on the Palestinian cause.
The Ambassador reaffirmed the Arab Group’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Africa and its determination to work collectively towards achieving meaningful and comprehensive Security Council refo
rm. This reform aims to create a more capable and effective Council, equipped to address current and emerging challenges and ensure conflict prevention within a representative, transparent, impartial, and credible framework.
Source: Bahrain News Agency