Canada & the UN >  Canada on the Security Council (1999-2000)

 

	» Introduction - see below » An Assessment of our Sixth Term and its Legacy [PDF] - Jan 2001 » Objectives for the Second Year and Beyond - Summary of a day-long seminar, Jan 2000 » After 162 Days - Address by Canada’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Jun 2000 » Kosovo and the Use of Force - Article from UNA-Canada's newsletter, Mar 1999 » Options and Opportunities - Summary of day-long seminar, Jan 1999 » The UN and the New Security Agenda - Background papers by some leading academics and a discussion summary from a conference on international security issues, May 1998

INTRODUCTION:

The Security Council

The Security Council of the United Nations is one of the six principal organs of the UN, along with the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the International Court of Justice, the Trusteeship Council and the Secretariat. Since the first meeting of the Security Council in London (United Kingdom) in January 1946, the UN Charter and Member States have conferred on this body the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Security Council is seen as the main guardian of world peace, and the means of preventing a repetition of the horrors of the First and the Second World Wars.

The Security Council is currently composed of fifteen members in total. Five of them have a permanent seat (China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States). In addition, there are 10 elected members, whose seats are allocated according to a set formula among the five regional groups: Western Europe and Others (WEOG); Eastern Europe; Africa; Latin America and Caribbean States; and Asia. (Note that Canada is a member of the WEOG, along with Australia and New Zealand). The ten elected members serve for a two-year term, with five seats changing each year.

Nine members of the Council must vote "yes" in order for an important resolution in the Security Council to be adopted. If, however, any one of the five permanent members votes "no" the resolution does not pass (what is referred to as the "veto" power).

Canada's Sixth Term on the United Nations Security Council
(January 1999 - December 2000)

As a proactive leader in a number of areas -- including UN peacekeeping operations, the banning of anti-personal mines, and the creation of the International Criminal Court -- Canada was elected for its sixth term as a non-permanent member on the Security Council on October 8, 1998, receiving a remarkable vote of confidence from the UN Member States. She will serve on the Council from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2000. The full membership of the Council for 1999 will include Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Gabon, Gambia, Malaysia, Namibia, Netherlands, Russia, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Canada first held a seat on the Security Council from 1948 to 1949. Since then she has served every succeeding decade (1958-59, 1967-68, 1977-78 and, most recently, in 1989-1990). For its sixth term, one of Canada’s goals is to work on the reform of the Security Council to make it more effective, transparent and responsive to the concerns of the UN Member States. Canada would also like to focus increasing attention on a broader concept of human security. One of the more important items of the Canadian Security Agenda is the promotion of the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

The Presidency of the Security Council rotates on a month-by-month basis among the members in English alphabetical order of country name. After assuming the Presidency of the Council in February 1999, Canada will take the helm again during the course of the year 2000. It will provide Canada with a second specific chance to advance our human security agenda.