7 November 2016, New York; At the United Nations General Assembly debate on 'Question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council', the Maldives highlighted that comprehensive reform and expansion of the Security Council is essential to make the Security Council democratic in composition, effective in decision-making and accountable to the general membership.
Speaking on the subject, Ambassador Ahmed Sareer, Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations underscored the importance of making the Security Council more representative and balanced and its work to be more effective and transparent, especially with regard to its decision-making process which should be implemented in strict compliance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.
Stressing on the urgent and growing need for the Assembly to pursue substantial results and on the expansion of the Council's membership for its continued legitimacy and relevance, Ambassador Sareer highlighted that the Maldives is seeking election to a non-permanent seat to the United Nations Security Council for the term 2019-2020. He noted that this is the first time the country is presenting its candidature for a Security Council seat since it became a member of the Organisation 51 years ago.
Ambassador Sareer underlined that the membership of the Security Council should come from both developing and developed countries, including from small states, and should include the participation of countries as a reflective of the United Nations' diverse membership. He said every country, regardless of size and might, must have the opportunity to serve and that it is not the size, but the will to contribute that makes a difference.
The Maldives statement further stated that the Maldives is eager to see a contemporary Security Council that is more representative and influential, where a reflection of the changes that has taken place in recent years can be observed.
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