External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar participated in the first-ever Joint Ministerial Meeting of the L.69 and C-10 groupings of nations on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday.
During the meeting, Jaishankar stressed the need for reforms in the United Nations Security Council’s membership, both in its permanent and non-permanent categories. The L.69 Annual Ministerial Meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, who serves as the spokesperson for the L.69, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Jaishankar shared his thoughts on X, saying, “Encouraged by the first-ever Joint Ministerial Meeting of L.69 and C-10 groupings of nations. Highlighted the pressing need of comprehensive reform of UNSC membership in both permanent and non-permanent categories.” He also called for Text-Based Negotiations within the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process, aiming for concrete results within a fixed timeframe. He further expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Gonsalves’ leadership and acknowledged the active participation of the C-10 representatives.
During the L.69 Annual Ministerial Meeting, ministers reiterated the urgent need for the Security Council to be more representative, transparent, efficient, democratic, and accountable. They noted that the upcoming Summit of the Future presents an opportunity to renew efforts towards Security Council reform, according to the MEA statement.
In the press release, the MEA stated that leaders from the African Union’s Committee of 10 (C-10) took part in the meeting to exchange views on the status of the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform. The ministers pointed out the key role developing countries must play in ensuring the effectiveness and relevance of the Council’s decisions.
The MEA’s statement also underscored the necessity of greater representation of the Global South, particularly underrepresented regions like Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean, in both the permanent and non-permanent categories. The ministers expressed their backing for continued dialogue on the representation of cross-regional groups, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS). They reaffirmed their support for the Common African Position, as outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, viewing it as a crucial framework for addressing historical imbalances affecting Africa.
The MEA’s press release also pointed out that delays in comprehensive reforms of the Security Council affect the credibility of the United Nations. The ministers pledged to continue their efforts to reach broad political acceptance on the five clusters of issues laid out in General Assembly Decision 62/557.
Jaishankar also met with Prime Minister Gonsalves, calling it the “best way of starting a day.” He also had meetings with several other foreign dignitaries during the L.69 meeting, including Bhutanese Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira. On X, Jaishankar expressed his pleasure at meeting Dhungyel, and mentioned a brief conversation with Vieira ahead of the IBSA and BRICS meetings at the UNGA.
Jaishankar, who is currently visiting the US, also met with various diplomats, including Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Nurtleu, Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, and Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, among others, on Wednesday.
(ANI)