S/PV.7547 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Following consultations among the members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on their behalf: “The Security Council welcomes the continued participation by the wider membership in the open debate held on 20 October 2015 under the agenda item ‘Implementation of the note by the President of the Security Council (S/2010/507)’. “The Security Council expresses its intent to continue to hold an annual open debate on its working methods and affirms its commitment to continue to keep its working methods under consideration in its regular work, with a view to ensuring their effective and consistent implementation. “The Security Council recalls its commitment to making more effective use, as appropriate, of open meetings, and to this end expresses its commitment to continue to take steps to improve the focus and interactivity of its open debates. In this regard, the Security Council welcomes joint statements by both Security Council members and other Member States. “The Security Council underscores the importance of increased coordination, cooperation and interaction among the principal organs of the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Secretariat, as well as with other relevant bodies, including the Peacebuilding Commission and regional organizations, including the African Union, and reaffirms that the relationship between the principal organs of the United Nations is mutually reinforcing and complementary, in accordance with and with full respect for their respective functions, authority, powers and competencies as enshrined in the Charter. In this regard, the Security Council takes notes of the adoption, on 11 September 2015, by the General Assembly, of resolution 69/321, and the continued cooperation between the President of the Security Council and the President of the General Assembly. “The Security Council appreciates the work undertaken by the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions, and requests the Informal Working Group to continue reviewing and updating relevant notes by the President of the Security Council, in particular note S/2010/507, of 26 July 2010, including with a focus on implementation. “The Security Council takes note of the efforts of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions to enhance the transparency of its activities, including by the Chair providing regular briefings to interested Member States, in consultation with its members, and encourages the Working Group to make further progress in this regard. “The Security Council further appreciates the efforts on working methods undertaken by its other subsidiary bodies aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of their activities, and encourages them, as appropriate, to make further progress.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2015/19. Before I adjourn the meeting, I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to all the members of the Security Council for their efficient cooperation with the presidency this month. I express my thanks for the flexibility of all members. I think that Spain has met the goals it set for itself at the beginning of its presidency. I believe that, working together, we have succeeded in moving forward on genuinely relevant and important issues for the maintenance of international peace and security, as well as for improving the efficiency of the Security Council. One could say that the presidential statement we have just adopted is in fact the first such document the Council has ever adopted, as the only existing precedent is a very short presidential statement of just about one paragraph. I think it is a good sign that we are able to adopt texts that bind us in future to continue to work with greater efficiency and dedication. I would also like especially to thank the Security Council Affairs Division (SCAD) for its ongoing assistance and guidance to the presidency. We serve only 30 days in the presidency; SCAD is always there — a permanent voice and astute and effective counsel. I also express my gratitude to the interpreters for their dedication and patience throughout all of the Council’s meetings. And I thank all the States Members of the United Nations for following our open meetings. In addition, I would like to express my thanks to my team at the Spanish Mission. Without them, nothing would have been possible. They have shown boundless enthusiasm and dedication, which nearly exhaused this Permanent Representative in carrying out his duties. Last but not least, I want to wish all the best to the British Ambassador, who is not with us today — I am sure because he is preparing for his presidency.