Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, the UK's Deputy
Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council
open debate on working methods of the Security Council.
Mr President, I would like to thank Albania as Chair of the
Informal Working Group for their excellent stewardship of this
important topic. I also thank our briefers for their
reflections on the Council’s working methods.
President, as we emerge from Covid virtual working methods, it is
welcome that we are back to full participation in open debates
like this, to remain connected with the wider UN
membership. And, I agree with my Russian colleague, my US
colleague and others who say that we really value in-person
meetings — although we managed well through the period of virtual
working. Still, we have more to do to ensure the Council stays
effective and efficient.
Our vision remains that the Council is able to solve problems
though interactive debate, building consensus, responsible
pen-holdership, and making decisions that have real impact on the
ground. Sometimes, that means discussion in private not
public, and we look forward to a full return to the consultations
room.
On pen-holding, there is a longstanding convention of pen-holding
to support consistency. But, as we have seen and heard, it is a
flexible practice, as Ms Sievers said, and that we, the UK, have
shared with Germany on UNITAMS, and we now share with Gabon on
UNOCA.
It means being responsive to prevent conflict or deter
escalation, and discussing issues even if uncomfortable for some.
But all Council members have a responsibility to uphold the UN
Charter. The GA resolution 76/262 on the veto, that we
co-sponsored, is a welcome step in ensuring transparency and
accountability when a member of the Council blocks action to
maintain international peace and security — for example, as we
saw on DPRK.
President, we also need to do more to ensure that we are using
the Council’s time efficiently. That means respecting the
Council’s mandate, not using it as a platform for propaganda and
misinformation.
Sadly, Russia has done just that, consistently, since its illegal
invasion of Ukraine. It still denies this is a war, even as its
missiles continue to rain down on civilian targets.
With respect to the Russian Federation’s allegations about our
pen-holding on Libya, I made clear in the Council yesterday, our
national position, shared by many others, that withdrawal of the
Wagner Group mercenaries is an essential part of making progress
in Libya. And on Yemen, I simply note that this is one file where
we have made progress this year, since the start of the year,
thanks to work of Members of this Council, countries of the
region and the UN — the hard won truce is holding.
President, if we are discussing procedure today, we should look
at the founding rules of the UN.
Regrettably, the real challenge for the functioning of this
Council is that a permanent member has torn up the UN Charter and
invaded a sovereign neighbour. The global impacts are
profound and affecting many of those issues on which the Council
is seized.
I am sure we will hear from Member States today about their
concerns about divisions in the Council. It will not be
adjusted working methods that resolves this, but an end to
Russia’s illegal war.
