General Assembly: Reform of the Security Council | Cluster Debate on Working Methods + Model Discussion - Informal meeting of the plenary, 79th session

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I call to order the 7th informal meeting of the Plenary on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Council. We continue with the list of speakers remaining from our first meeting this morning. I give the floor to Timor-Leste.

At the outset, my delegation wishes to thank you, Co-Chair, for convening these sessions to discuss the cluster of working matters. Timor-Leste believes that constructive feedback and discussions are crucial to achieving a comprehensive UN Security Council reform. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by the Permanent Mission of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on behalf of the L69 Group. I would like to highlight the following points in my national capacity. The concept of United Nations Security Council reform has sparked intensive— intense debate since its inception, which various countries and groups proposed diverse ideas. Timor-Leste supports reforms and agrees that discussions should continue to find common ground. Despite the lack of consensus, Timor-Leste believes that to achieve meaningful reform, countries must engage in cross-cutting negotiations prioritizing accountability and responsibility. Some P5 countries support expanding permanent and non-permanent members, including the seats for Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Ultimately, we aim for a reformed Security Council that balances representation, legitimacy, and effectiveness. Co-chair Timor-Leste shared the view of the majority of the UN member states. We are cognizant that the 5 clusters of UN Security Council reform are inextricably linked, and the cluster and working method cannot be developed unless we know the constitutions of reconfigured Security Council. We are cognizant that concerns have been raised and how an enlarged Council will impact its efficiency and effectiveness. However, once reformed, the informal working group should continue to be subsidiary body responsible for developing working method to ensure the Council effectiveness. Member states will have the opportunity to contribute to this task through the open debate and working methods. There is a widespread recognition of the need For meaningful Security Council reform, if the UN Security Council increases the permanent members, several changes to its working method could be anticipated to ensure efficiency, transparency, and inclusiveness. With more permanent members, the UN Security Council would need to safeguard equitable representations of different regions. The decision-making process might be adjusted to accommodate the increased number of permanent members. This could include changes in voting procedures and the introductions of mechanisms to ensure that decisions are made efficiently. The Path of the Future underscores the importance of full implementation of the UN Charter, particularly Article 27, Paragraph 3, which requires parties to a dispute to abstain from voting on relevant Chapter 6 resolutions. The UN Security Council would continue to focus on improving transparency and accountability. This could involve more open debates, better documentation of meetings, and increased consultations with non-Council members, with more permanent members the workload could be distributed more evenly. This would help manage the increasing number of issues on the Council's agenda and guarantee that all members contribute effectively. The UN Security Council might also consider creating regional groups or committees to address specific regional problems more effectively. This would allow more focus on informal decision-making. This change would aim to make the Security Council more representative, transparent, and effective in maintaining international peace and security. Co-chair, while the Security Council holds primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, the General Assembly also plays a crucial role under Chapters 6 of the UN Charter. The Pact of the Future highlights the need to revitalize the Assembly, particularly in situations where the Council fails to act. Resolutions such as 377 and 76-262 veto initiatives have established important mechanisms that empower the Assembly to address global crises. To conclude, we reiterate that the Security Council reform is crucial for enhancing the UN's legitimacy and effectiveness. While diverse perspectives and challenges exist, continued negotiations and compromise can pave the way for a more inclusive and representative Security Council. My delegation remains open to any form of negotiations with the IGN framework to achieve broad consensus. We are of the view that wide agreement across the IGN is the only way towards a successful and comprehensive Security Council reform. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste and I give the floor to El Salvador.

Thank you very much, Co-Chair. Allow me first of all to thank you for convening this meeting. Reviewing the working methods of the Security Council in the context of its reform is vital to strengthen its transparency, inclusiveness, and legitimacy. If we aspire to a more democratic, representative, and effective council, we must ensure that its practices keep step with current challenges and the legitimate expectations of this organization's membership. Given this, we're of the view that the democratization of the Council must lead to equitable conditions for the participation of all of its member states. To do so, it's important to ensure the full and effective participation of elected members in all phases of its works, from instigating initiatives to decision-making. My country supports greater inclusion of elected members in drafting and consultation processes on the Council's outputs. The distribution of the duties of penholderships and co-penholderships, as well as the chairships of subsidiary bodies, must reflect fairly and equitably the status of permanent and elected members. Similarly, we're of the view that we must ensure that each elected Council member has the right to hold the presidency of the Council at least once during their mandate. Strengthening the participation of elected members depends on equal-handed access to the institutional memory of the Council. Without timely, systematic access to key documentation, their ability to contribute in an informed and effective way is curtailed. Because of that, we urge the Council to address this question as a matter of urgency and ensure that all of its members have full access to its documentation. Similarly, Strengthening interaction of the Council with non-member states and other key stakeholders is vital to building collective, coherent, and legitimate responses. That means not just ensuring systematic consultations with countries such as TCCs and PCCs for decisions related to peacekeeping operations, but also establishing better structured mechanisms to integrate their perspectives throughout the lifecycle. of these operations. Additionally, the timely availability of the working documents of the Council to its entire membership is a sine qua non to strengthening transparency of its processes. El Salvador reiterates its support to greater coordination between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. We would urge member states to use the platform presented by the Peacebuilding Architecture Review, which will take place this year, as an opportunity to strengthen that relationship. Finally, we support the practice of the co-chairs of this process continuing to send a letter to the chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions of the Security Council. We're of the view that such communication is a key instrument to effectively channel the proposals of the membership in terms of the Council's working methods. Thank you very much, Co-Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of El Salvador and I give the floor to Chile.

Co-Chair, first of all, we would like to welcome this new convening of the intergovernmental negotiations on the question of the Security Council, which for Chile is very important, especially Today, we're of the view that the discussions on the reform of the Security Council to ensure that it's more effective and inclusive in its decision-making, as well as the enlargement of its membership— we believe that this is an inevitable sine qua non for the strengthening of the multilateral system itself. These negotiations cannot ignore the global situation we face in the 21st century— armed conflicts, which we are seeing today demand that we channel our efforts towards this urgent reform so that the Council can effectively safeguard international peace and security, abiding by its primary mandate, the protection of civilians who are threatened on a daily basis. This urgency means that today more than ever we need to take awareness of the dangers we face. As the international community. This applies to all UN member states but especially Security Council members. Co-chair, turning to the size of an enlarged Security Council, Chile is of the view that this should reflect the new geopolitical realities of our century to strengthen the legitimacy and strength of the organization as a whole to ensure that it's more representative when decisions are made. In terms of the link between the Security Council and the General Assembly, we think that we need to continue to strengthen channels of communication between both bodies respecting their respective competencies. We call for a strengthening of information exchange by establishing regular exchanges between the presidents of both organs. Chair, as we approach the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, we are duty-bound to move towards a more democratic and representative Security Council, correcting the deficiencies and inequalities which to the detriment of its functioning. For Chile, the strengthening of multilateralism will continue to be a priority, and reforming the Council is vital in that endeavor. Given that, I'd like to once again highlight the importance of transparency in that organ's decision-making, as well as accountability. We welcome the fact that a practice has been adopted which involves participation from civil society and that in briefings of the Security Council. where those with experience in the field can share about the realities of conflicts. Chair, finally, we'd like to call for flexibility to be shown and a constructive spirit in these negotiations so that we're able to have a meaningful, equitable, and inclusive reform of the Security Council as we seek to strengthen the role that this organ should play in decision-making for the strength— maintenance of international peace and security. Thank you very much, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative.

Thank you very much, Co-Chair. We welcome the convening of this debate which helps to strengthen exchanges on the Security Council's reform which is very relevant on the UN's agenda. This IGN is a perfect opportunity to discuss as member states the need for reform of the Security Council by looking in depth at its 5 clusters in accordance with Resolution 62557 of the General Assembly. In terms of the matter we are dealing with today, Cuba reiterates its historic commitment to Security Council reform, including of its working methods, so that this organ can be truly transparent, democratic, and representative. To reach this goal, there's a need to have transparent informal negotiations, and the minutes of the Council's closed meetings need to be made available. That should— closed meetings shouldn't be the exception; they should be the rule. In addition, the rules of procedure continue to be provisional. We would highlight that. The annual report presented should be exhaustive and analyze the work of the Council, and it should assess the causes and implications of their decisions. To conclude, we reiterate our readiness to continue to make progress towards a solution which enjoys the greatest possible degree of political backing from member states. We will continue to defend multilateralism and the credibility of the United Nations, particularly particularly given the enormous challenges we currently see on the international stage. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cuba and I give the floor to Ethiopia.

Thank you, Chair. I thank both co-chairs for your continued leadership of this vital process and for setting aside today's discussions on the working methods of the Security Council. Ethiopia aligns itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished representative of Sierra Leone on behalf of the African Group. Chair, I would like to start by restating Ethiopia's position, which is basically Africa's position, that all reform elements outlined under General Assembly Decision 62557 must be addressed fully and comprehensively. The 5 clusters and their contents must be treated as a package. In the meantime, the Council's working methods represent one area that signifies the importance of— the importance and urgency of the quest for reform of the Security Council. The overwhelming majority of the Council's agenda items are African issues, which are being discussed and decided on without transparent, inclusive, and predictable working methods. In this regard, I would like to raise 3 interrelated points. First, the penholder system gives a select few in the Council unique power to control and shape the agenda of the Council. For a body that spends much of its time on decisions related to Africa, the role of the African members of the Council in the penholder distribution list is disappointingly insignificant. African members of the Council must be involved in drafting Council outcomes, including through the designation of African states as panholders and co-panholders. This call for democratization of the panholder system is a call to ensure the effectiveness of the Council through active participation and effective representation. Second, a transparent and inclusive framework is needed to ensure The contribution of interested member states in drafting and negotiating the Council's decisions. Affording reasonable space and time, reasonable space and time for member states to engage in crafting the Council's outcome documents is critical. Third, my delegation would like to emphasize the critical need for the Council to strengthen its cooperation with regional organizations, including through the reform of the Council's working methods. We therefore hope to see the relationship between the Council and the African Union expounded and sufficiently addressed in the AGM on the Security Council reform. We also emphasize the need for the Council to strengthen its consultative relations with troop and police contributing countries. Finally, let me conclude by reiterating the need for transparency in the Council's work, the participation of interested interested states in deliberations and text negotiations, regular consultation with non-Council members, and transparency in the Council's meetings as part of reform of the Council's working methods. Africa's quest for reform of the Security Council, which my country subscribes to wholly, including its working methods, is a matter of practical necessity and not of prestige. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ethiopia and I give the floor to Vietnam.

Distinguished co-chairs, thank you for convening this meeting on this important topic. As a key decision-making body, the Council holds the primary responsibility in maintaining international peace and security. However, the current structure and methods of work often fall short in terms of inclusivity and efficiency. Vietnam strongly believes that amending the Council's working methods through reforms that enhance its democracy, transparency, and effectiveness will significantly improve its overall functioning. In that connection, I wish to highlight the following points. First, consultations between Council and non-Council members must be strengthened. By establishing more systematic and structured consultations, the Council can ensure that its decisions are informed by a wider range of viewpoints. The perspectives of non-Council members are crucial in reflecting the broader interests of the international community. This would also contribute to a more representative decision-making process and foster greater trust among the UN member states. Second, the Council should conduct more public meetings and restrict the practice of holding closed meetings. Non-Council members should also be granted better access to the work of the Council, including its documentation and records. If undertaken, if undertaken, these reforms will allow greater scrutiny and participation from member states. Foster a culture of openness and transparency, and ultimately strengthen the legitimacy of the Council's actions. Third, the Council should intensify cooperation and coordination with regional organizations in addressing issues related to the concerned organizations. Regional bodies often have a deeper understanding of the specific challenges facing their regions and can offer valuable insights and solutions. Strengthening partnerships with such organizations would ensure a more localized and tailored approach to peacekeeping and conflict resolution by the Council, making its efforts more effective and sustainable. Co-chairs, Vietnam is a strong advocate for the Council's working methods reform. They are essential to ensuring the Council remains a credible and responsive body capable of addressing threats to international peace and security in an increasingly complex and evolving world. Vietnam is committed to constructive engagement and contributions in this process. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Vietnam, and I give the floor to Belarus.

Co-chairs, the Republic of Belarus has always supported the desire to make the United Nations Security Council more effective and representative. It's particularly important in a situation where the Security Council adopts decisions that have to do with the exceptional issues of maintaining peace and security. The effectiveness and efficiency in this matter is definitely a priority. The Council must be up to the multifacetedness of the world today and meet the aspirations of developing countries, small and medium states. We believe that greater representation should be ensured by bringing Africa, Asia, and Latin America and Eastern Europe on the basis of equitable geographic representation. All 5 thematic clusters of the reform discussion, from the size of membership to the issue of working methods, are closely interrelated and must be discussed together with particular attention to their variety and multifacetedness. We believe that negotiations should be based on the principle nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. With regard to the discussion of the effectiveness of working methods, we believe the role should be enhanced of non-permanent members of the Security Council. Informal penholdership must give an opportunity to all non-permanent members without exception to work on the texts. Discussed, not just some states. Broadening the array of informal penholders would meet the objectives of the greater representation. Finally, we believe that a central role in the process of decision-making on raising the efficiency of working methods belongs to the Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Issues. which reviews the practice of the Security Council and provides recommendations. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Belarus, and I give the floor to Algeria.

Thank you. We support the statement of Sierra Leone on behalf of African Union and Bahrain on behalf of the Arab Group. At the outset, allow me to express our appreciation to co-chairs for the significant efforts you have undertaken, which aim to achieve concrete steps with regards to Security Council reform. These steps are complex, but they are nonetheless inevitable and necessary to enhance the pivotal role of this body, which the international community greatly relies on to achieve the principles and goals of the UN Charter, specifically the most noble goal, which is to maintain international peace and security. We see that this path under your wise leadership is an opportunity to move forward in implementing the recommendations of the Pact for the Future, specifically in relation to Action 40, which calls to intensifying joint efforts within the framework of IGN on Security Council reform as a priority and without delay. As for the matter that we are considering today, which is the working methods of the Security Council, Algeria reiterates that it is necessary to take the necessary measures to make the Council an effective body to undertake its missions and to improve its performance on the international level. And to do that, its internal mechanisms must be improved to facilitate the process of reaching the necessary consensus and convergence of points of view and consolidating positions regarding many, many cases in order— in line with international legitimacy and international law, and in a way that reflects the a collective will of UN members. This is related to making the work of the Security Council more transparent and effective by improving its working methods in a way that reflects positively on its international role in providing a better performance in maintaining international peace and security, and which enhances its reliability and the trust of states, and at the same time strengthens the assurances of the sense of reassurance among states and peoples to have this body that they can rely on and that can put an end to the violations against their legitimate rights. In this regard, we would like to focus on the following points. First, with regards to enhancing the transparency of the Security Council, we appreciate the efforts undertaken to increase the number of open discussions and media briefings which are unofficial regarding the works of the Security Council. We must also enhance consultation with concerned states and regional organizations and to include them in discussions regarding the matters which are of interest to them at the Security Council. Second, with regards to accountability, we must recall what came in the par— in paragraph 3 of Article 24 of the UN Charter, which stipulates that the Security Council should annually and as necessary submit special reports to the General Assembly for their consideration. We find that these reports are the most effective and ideal method through which the Security Council communicates with all member states at the United Nations. And in this vein, we call on the need for— to have these reports being analytical and comprehensive. Third, Thank you, Mr. President. The penalties regime is a main tool to enhance the implementation of Security Council resolutions, and the main objective of them is to be preventive, to deter some actions that threaten international peace and security. Therefore, we must implement the penalty system while taking into account the interests of people and the prevailing humanitarian conditions, achieving a balance between deterrence while reducing the side effects of the sanctions regime is the measure of effectiveness of this sanctions regime. And it has become very important to take into account humanitarian issues when updating and modernizing the sanctions regime. Fourth, in addition to the difference related to veto being exclusively for permanent members, there are other types of differences between the permanent— the 5 permanent members and the E10. Algeria has sought and continues to seek to narrow this gap between the 2 groups. These efforts have led to awarding elected members the right to obtain equal and unconditional access to all working documents of Security Council. And this step has led to updating the Memo Number 507 in December, and this will enhance the transparency and effectiveness of the Security Council. Fifth and last, the issue of the pen holder is very important and something that must be considered to make it more transparent and more subjective— objective. We cannot continue to accept drafts for resolution— resolutions that are subject to the narrow interests of a number of states. And thank you for listening.

I thank the representative of Algeria for her statement.

Chair, thank you for convening today's meeting. Ireland welcomes this opportunity to discuss Security Council reform with a particular focus on working methods. Recent failures by the Security— by the Security Council to deliver on its mandate to ensure international peace and security are leading many to question its credibility and legitimacy. During last year's Pact for the Future negotiations, we saw a growing call from UN Member States to make the Security Council more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic, and accountable. Ireland will consider any support for any initiative that would make this vision a reality, and we believe that this is best done through text-based negotiations. Chair, in the absence of much-needed reform over the past 20 years, Ireland believes that we must focus on the areas where immediate progress can be made, including through the reform of the Council's working methods. Ireland is a proud member of the ACT Group, a cross-regional group of 27 UN member states that seek to enhance accountability, coherence, and transparency in the Council's work. Ireland welcomes efforts by Japan concerning the improvement of the working methods of the Security Council, culminating in the recent publication of revised Presidential Note 507. The updated note provides an important opportunity to reflect on process versus practice and to consider how we, as a broader membership, can encourage best practice in the Council's work. Chair, Ireland believes it is important that due regard is given to the contribution of all member states to the maintenance of international peace and security in the election of non-permanent members to the Council, as outlined in the UN Charter. It is imperative that the E10 continues to play a vital role in defending the rule of law and respect for the UN Charter and in seeking consensus. For E10 members to make a strong contribution to the Council's effectiveness, they must develop a strong understanding of the Council's working methods. In this regard, Ireland was pleased to work with the United Arab Emirates to develop an E10 Handbook, a practical guide for elected Security Council members. Chair, Ireland supports greater efforts to enhance dialogue and improve working relations among Council members. Last year saw the highest number of non-consensus decisions by the Security Council since the Cold War period. We have seen how this can give rise to a culture of impunity and disrespect for the Council and its decisions. For example, the recent uptick in attacks against UN personnel and peacekeepers. It is also essential that we ensure greater adherence to the relevant provision of the UN Charter, which requires members of the Security Council to abstain from voting on substantive matters when they are party to a dispute. Chair, we further underline the need for transparency and inclusive— inclusivity in the work of the Council, including ensuring that civil society briefers, female briefers, and non-Council members have sufficient opportunities to participate. At the same time, the Council needs to ensure that reprisals against Council briefers do not go unanswered. It is also essential that penholderships are shared equally among all Council members. An effective Security Council is a Council that understands the cost of its inaction. Ireland believes that the Council needs to be closer to, to those it serves, engaging on the ground and undertaking more frequent missions. Chair, Ireland calls on the Council to fulfil its obligations and on the Permanent 5 members in particular to help sustain momentum towards real and lasting reform. We believe that the veto should be abolished. At a very minimum, Council members should agree to refrain from blocking any draft resolution intended to prevent or stop mass atrocities. We encourage countries that have not yet done so to sign up to the ACT Code of Conduct. Ireland supports practical, meaningful efforts to strengthen the relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly. As we embark on a review of the peacebuilding architecture this year, We believe it is also timely to consider the Council engagement— the Council's engagement with the Peacebuilding Commission. Chair, in closing, Ireland is committed to working with all partners to advance the goal of urgent reform. We encourage and offer our full support to the co-chairs to deliver tangible improvements. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ireland, and I give the floor to Costa Rica.

Thank you, co-chairs. Distinguished colleagues, Costa Rica welcomes the convening of this meeting of the intergovernmental negotiations on the question of equitable representation on and increasing the membership of the Security Council and other matters relating to the council. My delegation would like to align with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Italy on behalf of the Uniting for Consensus Group. In my national capacity, allow me to highlight the following comments. First, I'd like to reiterate my delegation's position vis-à-vis the fact that discussions on working methods in the context of the IGN In its current configuration because there's no other forum in which to do so. In addition, the open— as well as an open debate on the Security Council itself. As other co-facilitators have— as co-facilitators pointed out, the item on the agenda is sufficiently broad to allow discussion of the working methods of the current Security Council, and my delegation would like to express that it is flexible as to that point. We therefore welcome the communication which, on the basis of this meeting, the co-facilitators have engaged— have brought to the Security Council on behalf of member states. We believe that this practice is a healthy, useful expression of communication between the Security Council and the rest of the membership. We urge the Security Council to continue to closely follow the proposals put forward in this meeting, and we hope that they will be able to continue to implement those which already have overwhelming support, and there are quite a few of these. Second, still Referring to the working methods of the Security Council in its current configuration, we believe that the time is right to assess the opportunity of having the unofficial working group meetings—that's the working group on documentation and other procedural matters—we believe that these could now be observed by the rest of the membership. That would be a very important step forward for transparency of the deliberations of that group. And perhaps could help incentivize a greater reform of that subsidiary body. Third, my delegation would like to recall that in paragraph 64, subsection F of the Pact for the Future, it was stated that the working methods should ensure that the enlarged Security Council is efficient, effective, transparent and democratic with accountability, among other things. That accountability will only be possible with a greater number of elected members. This week, once again, we have seen the importance of Security Council reform not just applying to elected members. A Security Council with more vetoes would only further entrench the issues relating to the Charter, as we've seen around Charter Article 27. To conclude, my delegation would like to call upon non-elected members of the Security Council in its current configuration to show political will to improve the Council's working methods. This is the only way of partially offsetting the imbalances that elected members have to face as they navigate the endless labyrinth of the Security Council's working methods. This torture which all elected members have suffered will continue to be a problem until we change the status quo. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Costa Rica and I give the floor to Uruguay.

Thank you very much. First of all, we'd like to express our satisfaction with the ongoing work of this group, and we support the work of the co-chairs. Turning to working methods of the Security Council, Uruguay will continue to step up efforts to bring about improvements in this connection. Our country is a relevant, important member of the ACT Group, And its pillars are very significant and include the transparency, accountability, and effectiveness of the work of this organ. Action 39F of the Pact for the Future is a potential way forward. It stipulates that the working methods of the Council should ensure that its function is inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic, and responsible. In addition, there's Action 41C, including a call to actively strengthen efforts I would like to echo what has been said before about the fact that transparency, accountability, and democratization must guide our work. There must be a particular approach on the empowerment of elected members. Indeed, this structural gap which exists between permanent and elected members is a reality which needs to be part and parcel of the discussion we're having today. Similarly, alongside a large number of countries who have already spoken on this matter, the interested parties means we need to implement more inclusive working methods such as, for instance, the promotion of open and interactive meetings. Thus, the democratization of the Council cannot be understood without looking at working methods which favor inclusive, broad-based participation from the entire membership. Uruguay is a country with a long history of contributing troops to peacekeeping operations, and we've always advocated meaningful participation from the TCCs and PCCs, especially in contexts where negotiations take place on mandate changes and transitions, ensuring that their perspectives are also taken into account. In line with Action 41 of the Pact, which I referred to earlier, we also highlight the importance of ensuring active participation of the Peacebuilding Commission and its configurations, country configurations, in the Council's work, ensuring that the Commission can provide its perspectives to the Council. As a member of the PBC, Uruguay understands the clear division of work between both organs and recognizes that the roles of advising— advisorship, the bridging role, and the convening role of the PBC make it important to boost peacebuilding and the maintenance of peace We also reiterate the importance of access to documentation in a timely fashion, which we believe will help to further transparency. Similarly, such sharing of documents needs to take place in all official languages because this would deliver one of the principal purposes of the organization, which is, of course, multilingualism. Finally, procedural adjustments should not substitute an overarching reform of the Council, and we reaffirm our commitment to making progress with the 5 clusters which have already been identified by Resolution 62557. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Uruguay. Colleagues, we have heard the last speaker. I would like to thank all delegations for their contributions today and for the kind words addressed to my co-chair and myself. Since the meeting will continue in closed format, the webcast will cease streaming.