Write a short 150-200 word explanation of vote on a UN Security Council statement (below) in support of expanding the Security Council. Each student will be assigned a delegation whose position they w
The Written Response
Write a short 150-200 word explanation of vote on a UN Security Council statement (below) in support of expanding the Security Council. Each student will be assigned a delegation whose position they will be supporting (i.e. if you're assigned Algeria, you will prepare a response that Algeria would support). You will submit them in writing on Brightspace and then present them orally in class on Thursday, Dec 4. Assigned delegations are below.
Presentation of Your Response
All students will present their responses during a mock session of the Security Council in class on Thursday.
UN SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT
In the interest of making the UN Security Council more representative in a way that reflects the world of the 21st century, members of the Council endorse a proposal for expanding the UN Security Council in the following manner:
Adding five additional permanent members to the Security Council with the same voting privileges as the current permanent members;
Adding five additional non-permanent members to be elected for two-year terms.
Members of the Council encourage the UN General Assembly to initiate the process of amending the UN Charter to implement these changes.
Delegations Assign : India
Attached is a sample of an "explanation of vote before the vote" statement made to the UN Security Council in 2023. It's pretty short but yours will be shorter. This is to help you all craft your little statements, which are due by 11:59pm tomorrow (Wednesday).
Nov 15 2023
UAE Explanation of Vote Before the Vote at the UN Security Council
Meeting on the Situation in the Middle East, Including the Palestinian
Question
Delivered by: Her Excellency Lana Nusseibeh, Ambassador and Permanent
Representative
Thank you, Mr. President.
The war on Gaza has raged for 40 days. While we have held several meetings, heard
devastating briefings, and seen heart-wrenching reporting, this Council has been unable to
produce anything that would alleviate the suffering of the civilians in Gaza. Outside this
building, and in our region in particular, the Council appears indifferent to the carnage and
dismissive of the suffering. Due to Malta’s extraordinary efforts, and to that of their team,
which we thank them for, and with our full support as the Arab member on the Council,
today we have an opportunity to begin changing that perception.
The draft resolution is born from the idea that we must come together now to act under one
fundamental common aim. The protection of children has been the North Star that has
guided this Council’s approach on this draft and brings us together today to vote on the text
before us.
And as Ambassador Vanessa Frazier has just said, the key elements of this resolution and
what they mean in practice for the people of Gaza must not be underestimated. For the
children and other Palestinians sheltering from the hostilities, for the Israeli children and
others still held hostage, and for UN humanitarian and medical workers who are risking
their lives to help alleviate the enormous humanitarian suffering on the ground.
This text is also what humanitarian actors have consistently called for as the bare
minimum for them to be able to do their lifesaving work. The resolution means in real time
enough time and space for search and rescue operations to save those children who are
buried under the rubble, including the 1,500 who have been reported missing there. It
means that fuel, food, water, medicine, and other essential goods can be delivered at
scale. It means that sick and injured children can be evacuated. These extended pauses
will also help reach those held hostage, particularly children, whose release this resolution
calls for unconditionally.
In addition, the text is unequivocal in its demand that all parties to the conflict comply with
their obligations under international law. Through this text, the Council also rejects the
forced displacement of Palestinians. This is essential. Two-thirds of the population in Gaza
are Palestinian refugees who have already suffered from the consequences of forced
displacement in their past. And once again, in the last 40 days, nearly 80% of those living in
Gaza have been uprooted again.
Finally, with the call in this resolution for the Secretary-General to bring options to the
Council for the monitoring and reporting mechanisms in this text, we can aid the intention
of this resolution to create the space needed for humanitarian actors to do their work.
Mr. President,
This resolution is a first, important, and overdue step by the Council, and it is for these
reasons that we will vote in favour of it, and it has the support of my group. However, the
UAE remains resolute that we must work towards a lasting humanitarian ceasefire. We
must not lose sight of this urgent goal.
Thank you
