UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan Tuesday proposed that the UN Security Council periodically discuss implementation of its resolutions, especially those on longstanding disputes like Jammu and Kashmir, while stressing the need for enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness and transparency in the 15-member body's work.
"Failure to enforce its own resolutions undercuts not just the Security Council's standing in the world, but the UN's as well," Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, said, emphasizing that the Council implement its decisions non-selectively to uphold its credibility.
"Nothing undermines the credibility of the Council more than "selective" implementation of its resolutions," she said in a debate on the 'Working Methods of the Security Council on Tuesday.
In her remarks, Ambassador Lodhi also said the Council's enhanced engagement with the wider United Nations membership was critical, as everyone had a stake in the maintenance of international peace and security.
The number and proportion of open meetings must be increased, while the meaningful participation of States with a legitimate stake in the Council's deliberations should be ensured throughout the decision making process, she said.
That was especially true for troop- and police contributing countries, Pakistan among the consistent and leading ones, she added.
The Security Council should also be more transparent and balanced in the work of its subsidiary organs, while elected members should have a more equitable representation on them and play a bigger role as penholders.
The Pakistani envoy suggested that the Council should rely more on diplomacy and the pacific settlement of disputes instead of enforcement measures (Chapter-VII) provided in the UN Charter. "Increasing reliance on Chapter VII can lead to impasse and at times a diminished focus on diplomacy, which is not desirable,"Ambassador Lodhi said, adding better utilization of regional and sub-regional organizations in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter would also help.
"The best way to enhance the representative and democratic character of the Council is to reinforce the norms of accountability and transparency" the Pakistani envoy said.
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