Iceland and Security Council Reform

At its conception, the representation and structure of the United Nations was adequate in relation to the current ranking of world power. However, times have changed. There is a need for increased permanent and non-permanent representation within the Security Council and more of an “open-doors” policy, ensuring full representation of every nation’s opinions, in response to changing times. Iceland is seeking membership in the Security Council for the years 2009-2010. It is essential that the membership of the Council better reflects the membership of the United Nations as a whole. Further steps should be taken to increase transparency in the decision-making process in order to build on the welcome steps already taken by the Council.1

Iceland supports an increase in both permanent and non-permanent seats on the Council. New permanent members should have the same rights and obligations as the current permanent members.2 Iceland criticizes the fixed positions of the Permanent Five (P5 for short), and how they fail to reflect the ever-changing world standing. In addition, many of the UN’s major contributors and recipients of aid are not represented. Iceland contributes to various institutions and programs of the United Nations, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the near East (UNRWA), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations University (UNU). Others include UNDCP, IFAD, UNFPA and OCHA, and as a supporter of these institutions that would be controlled by the Security Council, would like more of an opinion pertaining to the use of said funds.3 Iceland also believes that the veto right should be restricted. Iceland has addressed this issue in the Security Council, as well as letters addressed to the President of the General Assembly expressing their