Azerbaijan to hold debate on UN Security Council reforms

Asked whether this also applies to Syrian crisis, Mr. Mehdiyev responded to AA:

“Why not. We could use OIC experience, you know. I am not against it,” he said.

- Full agenda for October

Reminding that OIC was the second biggest intergovernmental organization in the world, the new president of the Security Council, Mr. Mehdiyev told AA: “The number of conflicts that are taking place in an OIC area is on the agenda of the UN Security Council.”

“Not to mention,” ambassador Mehdiyev said, “the energy resources that are concentrated in the OIC area.” He also stressed importance of the cooperation in the field of communication and inter-religion between OIC countries and UNSC.

OIC is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations, which has membership of 57 states spread over four continents.

- OIC biggest voting block at the UN

Asked about the idea, whether OIC should get the seat at the UN Security Council – as many think it should -- ambassador of Azerbaijan at the UN said -- for now, “only states are members of the UNSC -- not organizations.”

Recently, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said OIC is the biggest bloc at the UN, and it was time for it to acquire “a new position.” OIC chairman said that should happen “during the first reconsideration of the reform in the UN”.

“I think there should be a seat for OIC in the UNSC,” Mr. Ihsanoglu said – adding there was not an adequate representation of more than 1.6 billion people of Muslim world at the UN. OIC Secretary General argued that the European Union already has enjoyed an elevated UN status since 2011 – where they enjoy observer status.

Azerbaijan presidency with the UN Security Council (UNSC) during the month of October will address known issues, including grave humanitarian situation in Syria, but will also hold three open debates. Beside the chosen topic for the debate on -- “Women, peace and security” to be held on October 18, and debate on Middle East scheduled for October 22 – Azerbaijan plans to hold debate on “working methods” concerning the reforms of the Security Council – new UNSC president said Wednesday.

- Presidential statement on Syria adopted

Mehdiyev told reporters – Azerbaijan was very satisfied with the fact that UN Security Council adopted presidential statement (PRST) on delivering the humanitarian aid to Syria.

Earlier on Wednesday, the UNSC urged the government in Damascus to immediately allow cross-border aid delivery. It called on all parties to agree on “humanitarian pauses in the fighting,” along “key routes” for relief convoys. In a presidential statement UNSC deplored the escalating violence that has already killed more than 100,000 people and driven some 6.5 million others from their homes in Syria.

Talking to the reporters, Mr. Mehdiyev, also confirmed that the delegation of the UNSC will be off to Africa on Thursday. Members of the council will visit Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia. It’s been planed that the council’s delegation will be returned to New York, on October 9.

- After Bosnia – Azerbaijan

On Tuesday, Azerbaijan assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for October from Australia. The Security Council presidency rotates among the 15 council members in the English alphabetical order of their names; presidency is assumed on the first day of each month. Azerbaijan, one of ten non-permanent members of the Security Council, began its two-year mandate on January 1. 2012, as a representative of Eastern Europe. That UNSC place was previously occupied by Bosnia and Herzegovina, which served at the council from January 2010 to the end of 2011. 

By Erol Avdovic - Anadolu Agency

englishnews@aa.com.tr