The Security Council held an open debate on 19 July 2016 focusing on the working methods of the Council. The debate, held under the Presidency of Japan, focused on reviewing the progress made to date in this area by taking into account the views of the wider UN membership. Ambassador Katalin Bogyay, Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations highlighted the importance of an efficient and transparent Council which is the shared responsibility of the international community.
In his introductory statement, the President of the Security Council, Ambassador Koro Bessho highlighted that enhancing transparency and inclusiveness of the working methods of the Council is crucial for its effective functioning. In all these areas, the Security Council has made a steady progress during the last decade but there is room for significant further improvement. The debate serves the purpose of hearing the voices of the wider UN membership on this topic.
In her statement, Ambassador Bogyay underlined that Hungary supports all measures enhancing transparency and effectiveness of the work of the Security Council including those which further strengthen the relationship between the Council and the General Assembly. Hungary welcomes General Assembly resolution 69/32 which has set a structured process for the selection of the next Secretary-General and we look forward to a more transparent process during the next phase (straw polls) as well.
Ambassador Bogyay emphasized that Hungary advocates for refraining voluntarily from the use of veto in cases of mass atrocities and encourages all Member States who have not yet done so to support the Code of Conduct elaborated by the ACT Group and signed by 112 Member States to date. She added that the Security Council should utilize its power to refer cases to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in a consistent manner, whenever it is necessary.
To read the full statement of the Ambassador, please click here.
