The discussions in the retreat were centered on the topic: “Revitalizing the Discussion on the Security Council Reform” which generated three central themes, viz: (1) in view of today’s challenges, why reforming the Council is more urgent than ever before; (2) an assessment of the current state of play, an evaluation of what has been achieved so far and related challenges and prospects for the future; and (3) considering the next steps and the way forward.
Sierra Leone was invited to participate in the retreat in its capacity as Chair of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council and was represented by Ambassador Amadu Koroma, DPR 1 for Political Affairs. Apart from the office of the President of the General Assembly, thirty Member States attended which reflected a representation of all the major interest groups that are interested in the reform of the Security Council. The discussions were interactive, broadly academic and theoretical in nature and were conducted under the Chatham House rule of non-attribution.
There was an official opening segment which was opened by H.E. Sheik Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar. During this segment, statements were delivered by H.E. Peter Thompson, President of the 71st General Assembly Session and the two newly appointed Co-Chairs, the Permanent Representatives of Tunisia and Romania. This session was moderated by H.E. Ms. Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations.
