Azerbaijani FM says UN Security Council needs reform
By Sabina Idayatova
The UN system as a whole and in particular the Security Council needs reform and transformation in order to respond to multilateral challenges and threats of today, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said in a speech at a conference in Italy on Monday.
Speaking of improving the effectiveness of the UNSC's activity at the conference on new approaches to reform the organization, Mammadyarov stressed the importance of unconditional fulfillment of its decisions by the UN member states and in particular resolutions aimed at maintaining peace and security throughout the world.
The conference aims to foster political dialogue among UN member states representing different geographical regions on the issue of the UNSC reforms.
Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi and Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Gonzalo de Benito Secades addressed the conference with opening remarks.
The purpose of the conference, held for the third time at the initiative of the Italian government, is to create conditions for political dialogue of UN member countries from around the world on the subject of the UNSC reform.
On the same day, Mammadyarov met with Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Panariti. The sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest at the meeting. Panariti invited the Azerbaijani foreign minister to visit Albania.
Participants of the conference urged inclusive consultations and political will for a compromise solution on Security Council reform, which should enjoy the widest possible consensus among UN member states. Participants noted that a divisive solution would undermine the UNSC and the credibility of the United Nations as a guarantor of international peace and security.
Significant convergence was achieved on the need to increase the UNSC's accountability, transparency and effectiveness.