Slovenia Reiterates Need for UN Reform
Pahor assessed that the current structure of the Security Council did not allow the UN to carry out its fundamental role. "Long ago, a debate began on the reforms that are needed, but so far, it seems to have resulted in no palpable changes," he said.
Highlighting that Slovenia is among the countries that desire and strive for lasting peace, he warned of a "sense of uncertainty" that is "gaining ground among the peace-oriented international community".
"More and more often, a deadlock in the Security Council, sometimes for good reasons, sometimes not, is taken as an excuse for resolving conflicts by force and without a UN mandate."
Pahor called for the international community to deal with the question of UN reform quickly in order to ensure that the UN remains relevant, highlighting that the failure could have grave consequences for the global political and security architecture.
"This year, we are commemorating the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War. The Second World War began after the failure of the League of Nations. The third, and probably the last world war could in many respects be the result of an obsolete and ineffective United Nations Organization."
The Slovenian president urged a rethinking of the international security architecture in order to uphold the shared values and principles in the UN Founding Charter. Moreover, he argued that the work of the UN must be completed by regional and sub-regional organisations.
While agreeing that there is a future role for the Security Council to play in the future UN architecture, he said the focus must be on ensuring that its permanent members exercise "their powers responsibly and in accordance with international law and the UN Charter".
"In this respect it is our historical duty to modernise the United Nations, thus enabling it to secure international peace also for future generations," said Pahor.
The president also touched in his address on the growing threat posed by the Islamic State in Middle East and Northern Africa, saying that the "phenomenon of brutality and disregard for human life" needs to be "condemned in the strongest of terms".
In this respect, he welcomed the Security Council Resolution adopted yesterday compelling all members of the UN to draft new laws and restrictions to "prevent and suppress" the recruitment and travel of people who are intent on joining ISIS.