At the World Summit in 2005, leaders agreed to reform the Security Council (SC) in order to make it more transparent, accountable, and equitably representative. Several models have been presented since then which included concepts for expanding the membership, limiting veto privileges, reforming sanctions and working methods. The central reform proposals were submitted by the following four groups and are briefly drafted below.

The G-4 Proposal^[1], presented by Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, recommends to increase the membership of the council from fifteen to twenty-five by adding six permanent and four non-permanent members. The permanent members should be elected according to the following pattern: two from African States, two from Asian States, one from Latin Amercian and Carribean States as well as one from Western European and Other States. The four non-permanent seats should be distributed equally among each group of African States, Asian States, Eastern European States and Latin American and Carribean States. The six new permanent members of the council do not have the right of veto until further agreements have been decided upon.

Furthermore, the proposal calls for more tranparent, inclusive and accountable working methods.

The S-5 Proposal^[2], presented in March 2006 by Costa Rica, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Singapore and Switzerland, seeks transparency and communication between the council and the broader membership. It especially calls for determined and standarized working methods which are currently merely loosely guided by the Council's "Provisional Rules of Procedure".

A draft resolution by the African Union^[3], presented by Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa, proposes to enlarge the council from fifteen to twenty-six, granting each of the new six permanent members the same responsibilties and privileges as the current ones, including the right of veto. The seats should be distributed as follows: two permanent and two non-permanent seats for African States, two permanent and one non-permanent seat for the Asian States, one non-permanent seat for Eastern European States, one permament and one non-permanent seat for Latin American and Carribean States as well as one permanent seat for Western European and other States.

The Uniting for Consensus Proposal^[4], presented by a group consisting among others of Italy, Pakistan, South Korea, Argentina and Mexico suggests to increase the number of non-permanent seats to twenty, enlarging the total size of the council to 25 member states. All non-permanent seats should treated equally and be distributed according to the currently used model of regional groups in the council. Furthermore, the proposal calls for more tranparent, inclusive and accountable working methods.

Progress on an agreement on a reform of the Security Council has been elusive. No agreement could be found before the close of the 60th General Assembly Session, and two rounds of meetings have been held so far in the 61st session.

In February 2007 the President of the 61^st session of the General Assembl,y Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, appointed five embassadors, representing different regions, to conduct consultations with Member States on five key areas.^[5] One ambassador has been appointed as a facilitator on each of the following issues: membership, veto power, regional representation, the size of an enlarged Security Council, and the working methods of the Council and its relationship with the General Assembly. The facilitators  are expected to report on their findings at the end of March 2007.

[1] G-4 Proposal

[2] S-5 Proposal

[3] African Union Proposal

[4] Uniting for Consensus Proposal

[5] Statement by the President of the United Nations General Assembly