Algeria has achieved a significant diplomatic victory at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), ensuring equal access to Council documents for all its members, a privilege that was previously reserved only for the five permanent members. This breakthrough follows more than six months of intensive negotiations and consultations spearheaded by Algeria, which began its term as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in January 2024.
Upon assuming its seat on the Council, Algeria discovered a longstanding and deeply entrenched disparity: while the permanent members had unrestricted access to all internal and non-public documents related to the UNSC’s work, elected members were denied this access. This exclusion of elected members from critical documents such as briefings, reports, and archives, Algeria argued, created an imbalance that hindered transparency and undermined the principles of fairness and equality within the Security Council.
Algeria swiftly sought to challenge this practice, which it deemed as discriminatory and without any formal legal or procedural justification. In its early stages, Algeria was met with resistance from some permanent members who treated these documents as their exclusive domain, arguing that elected members should only be granted access with prior approval.
Determined to rectify this situation, Algeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations launched a series of consultations with the A3+ group, which represents several African nations on the Council. The initiative quickly gained support from other elected members, who shared Algeria’s concern over the unequal distribution of documents. Over time, these consultations expanded to include a broader coalition of Council members, further bolstering Algeria’s position.
Despite the growing support for the initiative, Algeria faced significant hurdles. Several permanent members pushed back against the reform, viewing the documents as “exclusive” material that could not be shared without their consent. However, Algeria remained steadfast in its pursuit of reform, focusing not only on the inherent unfairness of the system but also on building a solid legal and procedural case for equal access.
Through persistent diplomacy, Algeria succeeded in placing the issue on the formal agenda of the Security Council’s informal working group on documentation, chaired by Japan. In closed-door meetings and informal discussions, Algeria’s representatives made the case that denying elected members access to key Council documents contradicted the principles of transparency and fairness that the United Nations champions.
After months of negotiations and legal maneuvering, Algeria’s efforts were finally rewarded. The UNSC adopted a revised version of the President’s Memorandum, No. 507 of 2017, which governs the procedures of the Council. The updated document now explicitly guarantees equal access to all Council members, ensuring that both permanent and elected members can fully participate in the Council’s work by accessing critical documents related to matters under discussion.
This change marks a historic shift in the way the UNSC operates, effectively ending what has been referred to as “document apartheid.” The updated memorandum also outlines clear procedures for requesting access to specific documents, creating a transparent framework for all members to engage with the Council’s workings on an equal footing.
The success of Algeria’s initiative has been hailed as a triumph of diplomacy and a testament to the country’s commitment to ensuring greater transparency and fairness in the UNSC. This achievement is part of a broader series of successes for Algeria during its first year on the Security Council, and it underscores the country’s growing influence on the global stage.
The revised President’s Note 507, which is recognized as the definitive procedural document of the Security Council, now reflects this change in approach. It codifies the working methods of the Council, ensuring that the rules governing access to its documents are clear, equitable, and in line with the principles of transparency that are central to the UN’s mission.
This move not only enhances the functioning of the Security Council but also sets a precedent for future reforms aimed at ensuring a more inclusive and accessible decision-making process within the UN. Algeria’s diplomatic success in securing this victory is a significant milestone in its tenure on the Security Council, and it underscores the country’s dedication to fostering a more just and effective international system.