New York: Pakistan has reiterated its opposition to the expansion of permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council, emphasizing the need for a more democratic and accountable system.

At the fourth informal meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador Usman Iqbal Jadoon, voiced concerns over creating new centers of privilege within the UN. He argued that the goal should be to democratize the council, aligning reforms with the interests of the majority of member states rather than a select few.

Ambassador Jadoon advocated for the United for Consensus (UFC) proposal, which suggests increasing the number of non-permanent members with equitable geographical representation. This, he noted, would ensure accountability within the council.

The debate over Security Council reform has been ongoing, with various member states proposing different models to enhance representation and effectiveness. Pakistan’s stance adds to the complexity of these negotiations, highlighting the challenges in reaching a consensus on the way forward.