President of the General Assembly Khalilur Rahman says Africa’s exclusion from permanent membership of the Security Council is a continuing injustice, demanding justice for the continent.

Mr Rahman said this at the closing of the General Debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The UNGA president said world leaders spoke clearly about reforming the United Nations during the debate. He, however, said while the UN80 initiative would continue, “administrative reform cannot substitute for deeper political reform”.

“Reform is not an exercise in rearranging structures or reducing budgets, or rearranging budget lines. It is a matter of whether this organisation delivers better, faster, and more fairly for the people it serves,” Mr Rahman explained. “Administrative reform cannot be a substitute for deeper political reform truly led by member states.’’

In this regard, he said Africa’s exclusion from permanent membership of the Security Council “is a continuing injustice”.

“The common African position is clear, no reform agenda, including UN 80, is complete without addressing this long-standing inequity in the Security Council,” added Mr Rahman.

He went on to discuss the appointment of the next secretary-general, calling it “one of this Assembly’s most consequential responsibilities at a time when the organisation is facing complex issues”.

Recapping the meeting, Mr Rahman said more than 193 delegations took the rostrum during the debate, including 113 heads of state and government, one crown prince, 11 vice-presidents, seven deputy prime ministers, and 48 ministers.

“Across your statements, one word came before all others: peace. But peace was spoken of less as a distant aspiration than as an urgent defence—of the UN Charter, international law and the protection of civilians,’’ he said.

(NAN)