UN General Assembly
1961

23. First of all, as far as necessary amendments are concerned, we say that it is vital to ensure equitable representation of Africa and Asia in the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and all those achieved by two methods which we consider complementary: by redistributing the existing seats — this can be done at any election — and by increasing the membership of those organs. Such an increase would of course require amendment of the Charter as provided in Article 108. This redistribution and increase in membership appear to us to be essential. Justice and dignity require them. All the formulas now used to give Africa and Asia token representation in the principal organs of our Organization are the result of compromises and devices, all of which deliberately ignore the personality of Africa and Asia. The fact of the matter is for example, that Africa, as such, has no seat at all, in either the Security Council or the Economic and Social Council.