NEW YORK – The President of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, has reappointed H.E. Lana Nusseibeh, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the UN, as Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on UN Security Council reform (IGN). President Espinosa announced the reappointment of Ambassador Nusseibeh and the new Co-Chair, H.E. Christian Braun, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the UN, during the General Assembly debate on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council.
“It is an honour to accept the President of the General Assembly’s invitation to continue co-chairing the IGN alongside Ambassador Braun,” expressed Ambassador Nusseibeh. “As the principal body charged with maintaining international peace and security, the Security Council plays a crucial role in the organization’s efforts to address the global challenges of today. Its effectiveness is often tied to the wider success and credibility of the UN as a whole, and to the future of multilateralism and a rules-based order.”
Ambassador Nusseibeh previously served in this position during the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly with H.E. Kaha Imnadze, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Georgia to the UN. Together, the Co-Chairs steered a credible, transparent and inclusive process and sustained open and constructive dialogue throughout the session.
“It was a pleasure working with Ambassador Imnadze as stewards of the last process,” Ambassador Nusseibeh stated. “We look forward to Member States’ positive and proactive participation in the upcoming negotiations as we collectively navigate this complex, sensitive and strategically important process.”
At the General Assembly debate, both Ambassador Nusseibeh and Ambassador Imnadze were praised across regional groups for their leadership in steering the complex negotiations forward and their commitment to working with Member States. Additionally, both Ambassadors were commended for the momentum built during the negotiations at a critical period of reforms in the UN system.
The Co-Chairs will continue work to with Member States to advance the current IGN process, with the aim of reaching the widest possible consensus. Established in 2008, the IGN focuses on five key issues: categories of membership, question of the veto, regional representation, the size of an enlarged Security Council and the working methods, and the relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly.
The IGN will begin in early 2019.