Malta Just Joined The UN Security Council – But What Are The Island’s Goals?
Malta has just joined the United Nations Security Council for the first time since 1983, but what are its goals for its two-year term?
According to Malta’s manifesto, it intends to work on four main goals during its term.
1. Highlighting the primary role women play in attaining peace and security.
“Prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, adequate humanitarian responses and post-conflict reconstruction remain at the core of the United Nations. While we know there is no magic formula to achieving these, we do know involving women in peace processes greatly increases the chance of success and sustainability.”
2. The interlinks between climate and security.
“In 1988, prompted by emerging scientific evidence, Malta placed the global climate on the agenda of the United Nations General Assembly. The Assembly’s first resolution on “protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind” recognised climate change as ‘a common concern of mankind, since climate is an essential condition which sustains life on earth’.”
3. Building on key structures to prevent recruitment and promote rehabilitation of children involved in armed conflict.
“As the Co-Chair of the Group of Friends on the Reintegration of Child Soldiers (and Friends on Children and Armed Conflict Members), Malta will continue to build on existing key structures and instruments to carry on contributing to a long-term and sustainable comprehensive framework for addressing the protection of children affected by armed conflict, including increased accountability for perpetrators.”
4. Promoting literacy and education as it offers protection, predictable routines, and hope to children.
“Malta believes education is a fundamental human right, and is indispensable for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Our objective is to provide present and future generations with the necessary skills and talents for citizenship and employability, in the 21st century and beyond.”
One can argue that Malta’s strategy is ambitious but not unrealistic in terms of achieving the main objectives.
This is due to events that have transpired over the last two years as well as the fact that Malta may struggle to get certain policies through.
This is because the five permanent members of the UNSC (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) have the right to veto any policy they do not categorically agree with.
With that being said we can still expect Malta to be at the forefront of the above-mentioned areas. This is with the hope that Malta will be penholders of crucial resolutions throughout their tenure.
What do you make of Malta joining the UNSC? Sound off in the comments below