Asean and the UN Security Council
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Re: "Thailand deserves a turn at the UN Security Council", News, September 11.
The highly informative article by Supalak Ganjanakhundee deserves to be completed with additional elements concerning Asean’s position on the present and future role of the Security Council.
The 10 Asean members have frequently voiced strong support for an authentic reform of the UN in general and its Security Council in particular. They would like to see the organisation more democratic, transparent and efficient so that it can deal more effectively with the challenges of the increasingly complex world.
At the same time, it should be recalled that Asean has already backed Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines becoming non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, in that order, in consecutive years to come.
Last month Asean reiterated its commitment to further broadening cooperation with the UN, especially in the maintenance of peace and security.
Thailand’s membership on the Security Council would help develop more active collaboration among the Asean members themselves in the vast field covered by multilateral diplomacy, including the democratic reform of the Security Council and preventing further erosion of its credibility.
Ioan Voicu
Bangkok
