Welcoming remarks during the Opening Ceremony of the Consultative Summit of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State on the Reform of the United National Security Council (UNSC)

H.E. Dr. Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia

left: With His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, during the Opening Ceremony of the Consultative Summit of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State on the Reform of the United National Security Council (UNSC). — at State House, Windhoek

right: Group Photo outside State House, after the Opening Ceremony of the Consultative Summit of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State on the Reform of the United National Security Council (UNSC).

State House, Windhoek, 15 January 2015

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Namibia and Windhoek in particular.

I would like to take this opportunity to express our great gratitude to Your Excellency Dr. Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, for your effective stewardship of our Committee. The Common Position is gaining traction at the United Nations, thanks to your excellent leadership. I also thank our Permanent Representatives to the United Nations and the African Union, for the excellent work that they continue to carry out in ongoing efforts to canvass support for our common position.

Please allow me, Your Excellency, to congratulate Sierra Leone and all the affected countries for being declared Ebola free.

Your Excellencies, The present position of the Security Council does not reflect the broader principle of equitable geographical representation. This is neither representative nor democratic. It is imperative that the Security Council be enlarged to reflect the present day geo-political realities. This will enhance its democratic credentials and give legitimacy to its work.

In this context, Namibia reiterates the call of the Africa Union for the comprehensive reform of the Security Council, to make it more democratic, transparent and ipso facto serve humanity better.

We note with concern the slow pace in the negotiations on the question of equitable representation on the Security Council. Namibia believes that the reform of the United Nations Security council should be comprehensive, addressing all substantive issues relating to membership, regional representation, the Council's Agenda, its working methods and decision-making process, as well as its use of the veto power.

It is unacceptable for the African continent, which constitutes more than a quarter of the United Nations membership, to remain unrepresented in the permanent category of the Council. Therefore, the Common African Position for a permanent seat remains valid, viable and relevant. Furthermore, the position continues to garner strong support from other groups.

It is against this background, that Namibia reaffirms the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration on the modalities for the identification of Africa's representation in the Council. Our primary objective is the principle of the Security Council Reform. The question of which countries should represent Africa on the Security Council, is secondary and should be left to the discretion of the African Union.

In conclusion, it is important that Africa remains united on all aspects of the reform of the Security Council so as to garner more support around the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration. Finally, we call for the adoption of the Framework Document to form the basis of actual negotiations.

Enjoy your short stay in the Land of the Brave.

I thank you for your attention.

Also check the President's facebook site for more photos here....