Thank you, Co-Chairs.

I have the honour to deliver this intervention on behalf of the fourteen (14) Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

I thank the distinguished delegation of Sierra Leone for the presentation of the African model for reform of the Security Council as contained in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. CARICOM reaffirms its support for the African Common Position on reform of the Security Council. We reiterate that the current imbalance on the Security Council with the non-representation of both the African and Latin American and Caribbean regions in the permanent category of the Security Council, must be addressed in any reform of the Security Council. We therefore continue to advocate for a reformed Council that adequately reflects the current membership of the United Nations which necessitates expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership. This is the only way to address the historical injustice against Africa.

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

CARICOM has taken note of the commonalities between its own model for reform of the Council and the African model including on the question of the veto and categories of membership. We have also noted the divergence regarding regional representation, particularly the assertion that Africa is the only region not represented in the permanent category of the Security Council. CARICOM would welcome a further elaboration of this, given that of the five (5) electoral regions from which members of the Security Council are drawn, both Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean are not represented in the permanent category.

Importantly as well, the absence of any commentary by Africa on CARICOM’s proposal for a rotating seat across all regions that contain SIDS is notable given the implications for the African region as well. CARICOM would therefore welcome Africa’s views on this proposal, particularly how it sees this proposal aligning with its own advocacy for increased non-permanent seats.

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

I offer one concluding point and that is to express CARICOM’s support for any efforts to develop a consolidated model. We believe that this is an important step towards achieving the long overdue reform that we have been seeking in this IGN since 2009. Please be assured that CARICOM will continue to be a constructive partner to this end.

I thank you.