Co-Chairs, 

For a small island country such as the Federated States of Micronesia there can be no higher priority than sustainable development. But development, without peace, is not sustainable. It should therefore not come as a surprise to see my country and many small island developing states participate in this debate today, as well as in previous debates of the intergovernmental negotiations process. The United Nations, through the United Nations Security Council, as we see it, is largely about securing the future – our future.

But the many years dedicated to reforming the UN Security Council, countless statements by UN members, countless hours we have spent, all the expert analysis, all the planning and all the meetings have made little difference. Even where progress has occurred, like the succession from the Ad hoc Working group to this present Intergovernmental Negotiations, meaningful progress has been and remains very slow.

In other words, the need exists for this intergovernmental negotiation to make meaningful progress and more efficient and effective utilization of members’ time and of reaching a conclusion to reflect the sentiments of the overwhelming majority of members of the United Nations – the status quo is no longer an option and is deemed unacceptable.

In the view of my delegation, the intergovernmental negotiation which is meant to launch negotiations to reforming the United Nations Security Council, addresses that need in a most appropriate way. The crucial task now is to move to a text-based negotiation instead of reiterating already known positions. To facilitate this process, my delegation supports the call for the Co-Chairs to put all options on the table in a concise text, so real negotiations can begin in earnest.

Accordingly, I take this occasion to reiterate the strong support of the Federated States of Micronesia expressed already throughout IGN process, and at countless general debates of the General Assembly. As a member of the L.69 Group, we associate our delegation to the statement made by the distinguished Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. And we are grateful to you, Co-Chairs, for your untiring efforts pushing this matter forward.

Co Chairs,

At this current IGN, we are asked to weigh in on a few key issues. The L.69 group has placed our Group’s common views on the table. Our proposal calls for expansion in both categories of membership in the Council, and broader participation by everyone, including a non-permanent seat for the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). If anything, an expansion in both membership categories is not only inclusive but makes the Council representative, effective and accountable.

I thank you Co-Chairs.