Ban Ki-moon backs Security Council expansion

United tions, September 17: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday that he backs the expansion of the Security Council to adapt to the dramatic changes in the world and the General Assembly was moving in the right direction towards that goal. “I have always favoured expanding the Security Council in order to make it more broadly representative and democratic and transparent,” Ban told reporters here. “The world has changed and considering such huge, dramatic changes in the intertiol community, the Security Council should also be able to adapt to this changing situation.” Referring to the Assembly’s endorsement of the negotiating text for the reform discussions, he said, “I think this kind of process, even though it has been taking long (time) and (is a) very slow process, is, I think, the right direction.” In a landmark move on Monday, the Assembly unimously adopted the decision of its outgoing president, Sam Kahamba Kutesa, which included the negotiating text. It cleared the way for the reform process to go forward. For several years Chi and a group of countries led by Italy and backed by Pakistan had worked against the introduction of a negotiating text, effectively holding up the reform efforts. In his fil hours as president, Kutesa was able to break the deadlock and get it through. (IANS)