UN General Assembly
2000

urgently, so that the Security Council can be more effective in carrying out its important responsibilities. I would not want to suggest that there has been no progress at all on Council reform. There have, in fact, been some major steps forward in opening up the Council's meetings and briefings to participation by non-members. We are grateful for that. I would also like to reaffirm New Zealand's strong support for the Open-ended Working Group on Security Council reform, whose deliberations have contributed to this progress. In our view, the Working Group continues to be the appropriate forum in which to pursue efforts aimed at reforming the Council, because it is essential for the health of the Organization that any reform 25 package enjoy the widest support and buy-in. Council reform is too important a matter for back-room deals. The Millennium Declaration contains some important guidance on human rights, democracy and good governance. For example, all countries are enjoined to strengthen their capacity to implement the principles and practices of democracy and respect for