PH HIGHLIGHTS ELEMENTS TO IMPROVE EFFORTS TOWARDS MAINTAINING INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

• Published date: 23 December 2022
• Publication title: ASEAN Tribune

23 December 2022 (Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs) UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 22 December 2022 - At the Ministerial Security Council Open Debate on 14 December 2022, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Antonio M. Lagdameo highlighted elements that could contribute to a reformed multilateralism and hence improve efforts towards international peace and security.

The open debate on the 'New Orientation of Reformed Multilateralism' under the 'Maintenance of international peace and security' agenda item was the highlight of India's Council presidency for the month of December 2022. Chaired by India's Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the meeting was participated by over 60 ministers, senior officials and high-level representatives.

In his intervention, Ambassador Lagdameo noted that 'while the Security Council has had significant achievements in maintaining peace and security over the years, it has to contend with a great deal of setbacks especially with the current geopolitical environment.'

To instill new life in the discussions on Security Council reform, he said, 'it is imperative that we go beyond what has been practiced for decades in the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform.'

Ambassador Lagdameo said that among the important elements that could be considered, it is crucial to focus 'on improving the working methods of the Security Council,' and improved working methods should aim at 'more participation by non-members in the Council's decision-making process, and more transparency and accountability of the Council to non-members.'

He also said that 'an improved consultation mechanism between the Security Council and regional groups and subregional groups would be beneficial,' and that there is a need for the Council 'to...