Norway, Ireland And Canada Wage Fierce Campaign For Seat On U.N. Security Council
Credit: Wikipedia / U.N. Security Council Chamber at world headquarters in New York City.
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
The seat around a horseshoe-shaped table sits in the most important room in the world. It is the highly-coveted seat on the United Nations Security Council at the world body’s headquarters in New York City. The Security Council Chamber is where the U.N.’s most powerful body gathers. The U.N. Security Council is the ultimate global body tasked with maintaining international peace and security. The Council can dispatch peacekeeping forces, impose economic embargoes, arms embargoes, and ultimately opt for collective military action. It is no wonder why the competition for an open seat becomes fierce among member states. It is a diplomatic prize. All eyes are on the upcoming election for two vacant U.N. Security Council non-member seats for the period 2021-2022. The election will take place during the U.N. General Assembly in June 2020. All the 193 U.N. Member States have a vote. The election is held by secret ballot. The U.N. Security Council has 15 members: Five Permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the United States) and 10 Non-permanent members, which are elected by the U.N. General Assembly for a term of two years.
The non-permanent seats are divided between regional groups: three seats for the African Group; two for the Asia-Pacific Group; two for the Latin American and Caribbean Group; two for the Western European and Others Group: and one for the Eastern European Group. The Western European and Others Group is currently in the spotlight at the moment with three candidates competing for these seats: NORWAY, IRELAND and CANADA. Each of the three States think they deserve one of the two open seats.
NORWAY Launched Its Candidature For A Seat On U.N. Security Council In June 2018
Credit: reddit.com / Norway flag and coat of arms.
“We believe Norway’s longstanding and unwavering history of support to the United Nations, as well as our long experience in peace diplomacy, sustainable development, human rights and humanitarian response, build a strong candidature. Norway is a reliable and constructive problem-solver, with extensive experience in areas of mediation, peacebuilding, sustainable development and humanitarian response.”
Head of Norway’s Security Council Campaign Ragnhild Imerslund told DIPLOMATIC TIMES.
Imerslund noted that multilateralism is under pressure. To that end she said Norway’s candidature for a seat in the Security Council is motivated by the country’s desire to defend the multilateral system and the rules-based multilateral order which “we have all benefited from.”
“Norway is a small country with an independent voice. Having experienced occupation during the second world war, we know the importance of defending the rules-based international order, and will protect the UN’s integrity and independence. Norway is a consistent partner to the UN. Our UN policy and commitment to multilateral cooperation has longstanding and cross-party support,” Imerslund added. “Norway will bring to the table experience from several peace processes. We have gained considerable experience in peace and reconciliation processes and mediation diplomacy, in Africa, the Middle East, Philippines and more recently Colombia,” she stated.
Imerslund also said Norway has shown that it can bring adversary parties together to work through highly sensitive and delicate issues. She noted that many of Norway’s efforts have been quiet diplomacy over years, in various conflicts. She maintains this brings relevant competence and experience to the Security Council. Imerslund further stated that Norway will keep women’s rights and participation high on the agenda, because “we know it’s a prerequisite for lasting peace and stability.”
According to Imerslund, more than 40 000 Norwegians have served in UN-led peace operations since 1949. Norway currently participates with military and police personnel in UN peace operations in Mali, Liberia, South Sudan, Middle East, Haiti and Colombia, she said .
“Norway wants to leave a better Security Council than it enters, and will push for increased transparency and inclusivity in the work of the Security Council,” Imerslund said.
Norway is the seventh largest net contributor to the UN system, and has consistently met the UN target of 0,7 % of gross national income (GNI) to development assistance (ODA) – currently allocating 1 % of GNI to development assistance, according to Imerslund.
Credit: Wikipedia Public Domain / Oil canvas mural painted by Norwegian artist Per Krohg hangs in U.N. Security Council Chambers depicts a phoenix rising from ashes of World War II.
An interesting observation regarding Norway and the Security Council: Since its inauguration in August 1952, the Security Council chamber has maintained a certain “Norwegian Identity.” The Security Council Chamber was designed entirely by Norwegian artists and designers. The revered Security Council chambers was donated by Norway as a “gift” to the U.N. The chambers itself was designed by Norwegian artist Arnstein Arneberg. A large mural by artist Per Krohg (Norway), symbolizing the promise of future peace and individual freedom, covers most of the east wall. In fact, most of the Security Council’s furnishings have a Norwegian touch as they are from Norway. Although Norway does not have a permanent seat in the UN’s Security Council, the Scandinavian nation’s ‘presence’ looms larger than life in the room, as its chairs and other interior furnishings are all Norwegian.
IRELAND Believes Multilateralism Is The Key To Solving The Global Challenges World Faces
Credit: ireland.ie./ Ireland’s Campaign for United Nations Security Council 2021-2022.
“Ireland has always engaged with the UN in a serious and substantive way. It is an inherent part of who we are. It informs how we act globally and it shapes our international outlook – our belief in Empathy, Partnership and Independence.Ireland’s candidature for election to the Security Council for the 2021–2022 term will further deepen our UN engagement.”
Ireland United Nations Security Council Campaign.
“We are living in an era when local, regional and global issues collide with increasing frequency and force. Today’s crises and challenges do not carry passports or recognise international borders. Unilateral approaches are inadequate. Ireland believes that multilateralism is the key to solving the global challenges that we face. We are stronger together,” Ireland UN Security Council Campaign. “We are by nature bridge-builders. We listen to all sides and work to build collective solutions to our global challenges. Ireland has kept faith with the UN since we joined as a young republic. Election to the Security Council for the 2021–2022 term would coincide with the centenary of the founding of the Irish State. The international outlook which propelled us toward UN membership decades ago remains undimmed today. We have always sought to be an active and fair member of the international community. ”
Canada Faces Steep Odds in Battle To Join UN Security Council: CBC.ca
Credit: CanadamissiontoUN / Flag of Canada.
According to CBC Radio Canada, “rivals Ireland, Norway may have the inside track in the race to reach diplomatic prize. “
“Diplomats agree: Ireland and Norway are both model UN members — and that makes them tough opponents.
“At this point, Canada doesn’t have the 128 votes it needs to win a seat outright,” said Jocelyn Coulon, head of the Université de Montréal’s Network on Peace Operations and the author of several books on peacekeeping,”
reported by CBC.ca.
Although facing tough odds. Canada should fight hard for a UN Seat:
Why Canada should care – a lot – about that UN Security Council seat: the globe and mail.com
“First, Canada can make progress in areas where the Security Council is still able to act. Most of the world’s conflicts, and almost a third of its displaced people, are in Africa. Canada could champion efforts to strengthen the UN’s conflict-prevention tools, a long-standing goal for the organization.” the globe and mail.com.
