Non-Aligned countries seek ‘more democratic and transparent’ UN – Cuba

The Foreign Minister of Cuba, which chairs the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), today called for improvements in the work of the United Nations to make it more transparent and democratic.

Addressing the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate, Felipe Pérez Roque called for a “radical” change in the working methods of the Security Council to make it more accessible to all Member States.

“We need a United Nations with a reformed Security Council, acting in conformity with the mandate granted to it by the Organization’s Charter, without infringing upon the functions and prerogatives of other organs of the system.”

The General Assembly, he said, should be able to exercise its influence as the UN’s most representative and democratic body.

“We uphold the idea of having a United Nations where multilateralism and the solutions agreed upon in full compliance with the Charter are the only way to address and resolve the current problems,” the Foreign Minister said.

The Human Rights Council should not repeat the mistakes of its predecessor, the Commission on Human Rights, he said, calling for an “end to selectivity and double standards.”

Representing nearly two-thirds of the membership of the UN, he said the NAM would not be forgotten. “We will remain united and we will find support in the defence of our rights. We will make our voice heard.”