Albania assumes UN Security Council presidency, wants reform amid ‘desperate’ times

Albania is set to take over the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for a second time since becoming a non-permanent member in 2022, but Permanent Representative Ferit Hoxha said the institution is facing a number of challenges and needs reforming.

Albania was elected as a non-permanent member for 2022-2023 in a June 2021 vote. It first held the presidency for the first time in January 2022.

“Anytime the Security Council is blocked, is taken hostage, is vetoed, and every time when that happens, the Security Council fails those it has committed to help, be it in the Middle East or elsewhere,” said Hoxha.

He said he is frustrated about the failure of the council to address current global problems and wishes there was an answer.

“That’s why it has been more than 30 years that we have a process of reform of the Security Council, and it’s not going anywhere” because member states cannot agree, said Hoxha.

“So it is a desperate situation, it is not the best one. But we also know that in diplomacy, things do not come immediately. They do not come upfront, and sometimes, they come even in the most unexpected times. And for that, we need to continue, for that, we need to really do what we can do best. This is what Albania has been doing,” he added.

The representative continued that the council is not in “its best moment” which reflects a “divided and fragmented world”. Despite that, he said it is necessary to keep it functional as there is no alternative.

The effectiveness of the council has long been subject to criticism and calls for reform, particularly in relation to the matter of veto power, which is given to the five permanent members: the US, the UK, France, China, and Russia.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a number of matters have not been addressed due to the veto power of Russia, and China which has so far not condemned Moscow’s war.

This is likely to create obstacles for Albania’s top priorities announced by Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka, namely Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and a new platform for foreign aid.

“We will organise a high-level open debate in the Security Council, which will focus on the consequences of Russia’s unlawful aggression against Ukraine for global peace and security, as well as our joint efforts to strengthen and consolidate multilateralism and respect for international law,” Xhaçka said in a statement.

That meeting is scheduled for 20 September, chaired by Prime Minister Edi Rama with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expected to participate.

Albania has consistently aligned itself with Ukraine, the EU, and NATO on matters related to the Russian war.

“This issue has truly marked our mandate and has earned Albania the respect and admiration of partners and allies for the seriousness, professionalism, and courage with which it has worked to support international law, the UN Charter, Ukraine, and to condemn Russia,” Xhaçka’s statement added.

But Council members were unable to reach an agreement on the provisional programme of work, due to Russia’s apparent objection towards including Ukraine. Albania, instead, circulated a plan of work for the month with the topics mentioned by Xhaçka.

It is not just the council that is struggling with Russian vetoes.

EURACTIV reported in February that the OSCE has been struggling to get its budgets approved due to a lack of cooperation from Russia. This has left the organisation struggling with its mandate, resulting in its having to make critical decisions such as who will hold future rotating chairmanships.

At the same time, the OSCE also lacks a mechanism to remove or prohibit members from participating, meaning that any attempts to sideline Russia would likely have had to relate to postponements or refusals to issue visas.

(Alice Taylor | EURACTIV.com)