United Nations, Sept 23 (RIA Novosti/GNA) – African nations must be represented at the UN Security Council (UNSC) where they should have a permanent seat, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday.
The 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) officially opened in New York on September 8. The general debate is scheduled for September 22β26 and September 28.
“When the UN was founded, most of Africa was still under colonial rule. Today, Africa still has no permanent seat on the Council,” Guterres said during his address to the UNGA. “A 21st century Security Council without permanent African representation is unjust and indefensible. This must change.”
In May, Guterres urged for African countries to join the ranks of permanent members of the UNSC to correct what he called a persistent “historic injustice.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in mid-June reaffirmed Moscow’s principled position on the need to significantly expand the role of African countries in the Security Council.
GNA/RIA Novosti