Maldives’ leader calls for permanent rotating seat for SIDS at UN Security Council

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has called for a permanent rotating seat for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at the United Nations Security Council, stressing the need for equitable representation within the most powerful organ within the UN.

 He made the remark during his address on early Thursday at the UN Security Council’s open debate on ‘Leadership for Peace: United in Respect of the UN Charter, in Search of a Secure Future’, held on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York.

President Muizzu’s address marked the first time for a Maldivian leader to address the UNSC, in the 59 years that the country has been a member of the UN.

In this historical address, President Muizzu said he felt it important to personally convey to the UNSC a message from the people.

“…about the immense responsibility that the council holds in maintaining global peace and security.…about the immense hope with which that the people of the world look up to the council…and about the immense failure of this council in giving hope to the hopeless, and salvation to the suffering,” he said.

President Muizzu said that there is a declining trust in the UNSC – rooted in the lack of equal representation, accountability, and transparency.

He said that the UNSC’s current composition is archaic and outdated, and out of touch with the realities of UN membership today.

He said that the council must become more representative.

He noted that SIDS are one-fifth of UN membership.

“Our voices matter. Our perspectives matter. Our wealth of experience in conflict resolution, rooted in our traditions of community and cooperation, matter. We deserve a seat at the table,” he said.

President Muizzu said that a permanent rotating seat for SIDS will be a historic step towards equitable representation. 

He also voiced support for efforts to address the historical injustice towards Africa in the council.

“An inclusive and representative council will be a more effective council. An effective council will also practice what it preaches,” he said.

He also called to abolish the veto.

In his address, President Muizzu urged the council to also accept and address the implications of non-traditional security threats.

“The link between climate change and conflict is clear. Pandemics and disasters have proven to be devastating on a global scale. Lack of water and depletion of other natural resources are already creating chaos. As we witnessed in Lebanon a few days ago, technology has advanced to a stage, that detonating devices in our own pockets remotely, is now a reality,” he said.

President Muizzu warned that if the Security Council is not more flexible and agile in effectively responding to these new and emerging threats, it runs the risk of being buried in the dust.

“As countries take matters into their own hands, it will lead to more chaos, and more conflict. To address this, the council must listen to the people it serves; experts, civil society, regional bodies and individuals,” he said.

He called for the establishment of a mechanism where people can provide the UNSC with innovative and real-time solutions.

“Let us trust the people we are elected to serve, so that they too will trust us again,” he said.