View source for Uniting for Consensus

{{short description|Group of countries opposing UN Security Council expansion}}
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{{tone|date=March 2025}}	
{{Unreliable sources|date=May 2025}}
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[[File:Uniting for Consensus core.png|thumb|300px|Uniting for Consensus core members]]

'''Uniting for Consensus''' ('''UfC'''), nicknamed the '''Coffee Club''', is a movement that developed in the 1990s in opposition to the possible expansion of permanent seats in the [[United Nations Security Council]]. Under the leadership of [[Italy]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/200/41204.html |title=Players and Proposals in the Security Council Debate |author=Ayca Ariyoruk |date=3 July 2005 |publisher=[[Global Policy Forum]] |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iai.it/pdf/DocIAI/iaiwp1112.pdf |title=The European Union and the Reform of the UN Security Council: Toward a New Regionalism? |author=Nicoletta Pirozzi |author2=Natalino Ronzitti |date=May 2011 |publisher=[[Istituto Affari Internazionali]] |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref> it aims to counter the bids for permanent seats proposed by [[G4 nations]] (Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan) and is calling for a consensus before any decision is reached on the form and size of the United Nations Security Council.

==History==
Italy, through the ambassador [[Francesco Paolo Fulci]], along with Pakistan, Mexico and Egypt, founded the "Coffee Club" in 1995 .<ref name="IAI0911">{{cite web |url=http://www.iai.it/pdf/DocIAI/IAI0911.pdf |title=La riforma del Consiglio di Sicurezza dagli anni '90 ad oggi: problemi e prospettive |author=Pamela Preschern |year=2009 |publisher=[[Istituto Affari Internazionali]] |language=it |access-date=3 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425124759/http://www.iai.it/pdf/DocIAI/IAI0911.pdf |archive-date=25 April 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The four countries were united by a rejection of the proposal to increase the number of [[Permanent members of the United Nations Security Council|permanent members of the Security Council]], instead desiring to encourage the expansion of non-permanent seats. The founders of the group were soon joined by other countries, including Spain, Argentina, Turkey, and Canada, and in a short time the group came to include about 50 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.<ref name="IAI0911" /> The thesis of the Uniting for Consensus group is that the increase of permanent seats would further accentuate the disparity between the member countries and result in the extension of a series of privileges with a [[cascade effect]]. The new permanent members would in fact benefit from the method of electing, which is particularly advantageous in a number of specific organs of the [[United Nations System]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.un.org/en/ | title=United Nations &#124; Peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet }}</ref> 

During the 59th session of the [[United Nations General Assembly]] in 2005, the UfC group — led by the representatives of Canada, Italy, and Pakistan — made a proposal<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2005/ga10371.doc.htm |title=Uniting for Consensus group of States introduces text on Security Council reform to General Assembly |date=26 July 2005 |publisher=[[United Nations]] |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref> that centred on an enlargement of the number of non-permanent members from ten to twenty. The non-permanent members would be elected by the General Assembly for a two-year term and would be eligible for immediate re-election, subject to the decision of their respective geographical groups.<ref>{{cite book |title=Reform of the United Nations |author=Kulwant Rai Gupta |year=2006 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distributors |location=[[New Delhi]] |isbn=81-269-0668-5 |page=232 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j2R18roKQ6IC&pg=PA232 |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref> The other members and co-sponsors of the text, entitled "Reform of the Security Council", were listed as Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Malta, Mexico, San Marino, Spain and Turkey.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=A/59/L.68 |title=Draft resolution: Reform of the Security Council |date=21 July 2005 |publisher=[[United Nations]] |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref> Although the proposal was not accepted, the initiative found broad consensus among member states, including permanent member China.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.china-un.org/eng/chinaandun/zzhgg/t191026.htm |title=Remarks by Ambassador Wang Guangya at Meeting on Uniting for Consensus |date=11 April 2005 |publisher=Permanent mission of the PRC to the UN |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref>

On 20 April 2009, Italy, acting as representatives of the UfC group, provided a new model of reform,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.italyun.esteri.it/NR/rdonlyres/C37FC89F-8132-4CA8-A2F9-149515B37BD1/0/2009_04_17screform.pdf |title=Security Council reform |date=17 April 2009 |publisher=Permanent mission of Italy to the UN |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref> which was presented as a concrete attempt to reach a deal. The document proposed creating a new category of seats, still non-permanent, but elected for an extended duration (3 to 5 years terms) without the possibility of immediate re-election. This new kind of seat would not be allocated to single national countries but rather to regional groups on a rotational basis. As far as traditional categories of seats are concerned, the UfC proposal does not imply any change, but only the introduction of small and medium size states among groups eligible for regular seats. This proposal includes even the question of [[veto]], giving a range of options that goes from abolition to limitation of the application of the veto only to [[Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter|Chapter VII]] matters.

During the last round, Italy firmly rejected the G4 proposal as well as the [[African Union]] one and even denounced the unfair behaviour of G4 countries. According to Italy, the G4 is attempting to exclude the UfC proposal from the floor, “on the basis of a presumed level of support”.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.italyun.esteri.it/Rappresentanza_ONU/Menu/Comunicazione/Archivio_News/2009_09_02+meeting+GA.htm |title=Meeting of the informal plenary of the General Assembly on the question of the Security Council and related matters |date=2 September 2009 |publisher=Permanent mission of Italy to the UN |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref> Moreover, Italy believes that it has shown flexibility by putting forward a new proposal in April 2009, while the G4 remained tied to its 2005 document.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.affarinternazionali.it/articolo.asp?ID=1161 |title=L'Italia e la riforma del Consiglio di Sicurezza dell'Onu |author=Nicoletta Pirozzi |date=10 June 2009 |publisher=[[Istituto Affari Internazionali]] |language=it |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref> Italy's active role in current discussions started in February 2009 before the beginning of intergovernmental negotiations, when Minister of Foreign Affairs [[Franco Frattini]] hosted more than 75 countries to develop a shared path towards a reform of the Security Council.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Italy+hosts+ministerial+meeting+on+UNSC+reform+in+Rome.-a0200796959 |title=Italy hosts ministerial meeting on UNSC reform in Rome |date=5 February 2009 |publisher=[[Kyodo News]] |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref> In May 2011, the members states which have participated in the group meeting held in [[Rome]] rose to 120.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esteri.it/MAE/EN/Sala_Stampa/ArchivioNotizie/Approfondimenti/2011/05/20110516_rifonu.htm?LANG=EN |title=Riforma ONU: Frattini, il Consiglio di Sicurezza sia più rappresentativo |date=16 May 2011 |publisher=[[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Italy)|Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs]] |language=it |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2011/05/15/news/consiglio_di_sicurezza_onu_roma_con_120_voti_sfida_berlino-16271793/ |title=Consiglio di sicurezza Onu: Rome Italy con 120 voti sfida Berlino |author=Vincenzo Nigro |date=15 May 2011 |publisher=[[La Repubblica]] |language=it |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref>

==Member States Data==
As of 27 March 2023, core members of the Uniting for Consensus group were:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Internazionale |first=Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione |title=Joint Press release of the "Uniting for Consensus" Group – Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale |url=https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/comunicati/2023/03/joint-press-release-of-the-uniting-for-consensus-group/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |language=en-GB}}</ref> 
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" style="font-size:100%"
|- style="background:#ececec;"
! [[Country]]
! [[UN|UN budget]]
! [[International Trade]]<br />(Millions of USD)<br />2023
! [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|GDP (nominal)]] <br />(Millions of USD)<br />2023
! [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|GDP (PPP)]] <br />(Millions of USD)<br />2023
! [[Defense budget]]<br />(Millions of USD)
! [[List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel|Active military]]
! [[List of countries by population|Population]]
! [[G8]]
! [[G20]]
! [[OECD]]
! [[Development Assistance Committee|DAC]]
! [[MIKTA]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{ITA}}
| align="center" bgcolor=#ccffcc | 4.999%
| align="center" bgcolor=#ccffcc | 1,150,100
| align="center" bgcolor=#ccffcc | 2,198,730
| align="center" bgcolor=#ccffcc | 1,846,950
| align="center" bgcolor=#ccffcc | 34,500
| align="center" | 293,202
| align="center" | 60,849,247
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{CAN}}
| align="center" | 3.207%
| align="center" | 1,045,200
| align="center" | 1,736,869
| align="center" | 1,396,131
| align="center" | 34,000
| align="center" | 68,250
| align="center" | 38,953,100
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{ESP}}
| align="center" | 3.177%
| align="center" | 1,025,200
| align="center" | 1,493,513
| align="center" | 1,413,468
| align="center" | 33,984
| align="center" | 128,013
| align="center" | 46,163,116
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{MEX}}
| align="center" | 2.356%
| align="center" | 1,031,200
| align="center" | 1,154,784
| align="center" | 1,661,640
| align="center" | 31,859
| align="center" | 267,506
| align="center" | 112,336,538
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{KOR}}
| align="center" | 3.160%
| align="center" | 1,001,000
| align="center" | 1,116,247
| align="center" | 1,554,149
| align="center" | 30,800
| align="center" | 600,000
| align="center" | 50,004,441
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{TUR}}
| align="center" | 0.617%
| align="center" | 1,000,800
| align="center" | 778,089
| align="center" | 1,573,565
| align="center" | 32,687
| align="center" bgcolor=#ccffcc | 866,576
| align="center" | 84,724,269
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{ARG}}
| align="center" | 0.287%
| align="center" | 136,300
| align="center" | 447,644
| align="center" | 716,419
| align="center" | 3,179
| align="center" | 73,100
| align="center" | 46,117,096
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{Y}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{COL}}
| align="center" | 0.144%
| align="center" | 92,760
| align="center" | 327,626
| align="center" | 471,890
| align="center" | 10,290
| align="center" | 285,220
| align="center" | 46,748,000
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{PAK}}
| align="center" | 0.082%
| align="center" | 58,000
| align="center" | 210,566
| align="center" | 488,580
| align="center" | 5,160
| align="center" | 617,000
| align="center" | 180,991,000
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{CRC}}
| align="center" | 0.034%
| align="center" | 24,460
| align="center" | 40,947
| align="center" | 55,020
| align="center" | 6,125
| align="center" | 155,020
| align="center" | 4,301,712
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{MLT}}
| align="center" | 0.017% 
| align="center" | 9,200
| align="center" | 8,896
| align="center" | 10,757
| align="center" | 58
| align="center" | 1,954
| align="center" | 417,617
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{SMR}}
| align="center" | 0.003%
| align="center" | 6,201
| align="center" | 2,048
| align="center" | 1,136
| align="center" | 10
| align="center" | 900
| align="center" | 32,404
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
| align="center" | {{N}}
|}

==See also==
*[[Reform of the United Nations Security Council]] (UNSC)
*[[G4 nations]] 
*[[Permanent members of the United Nations Security Council]]

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*{{cite web |url=https://italyun.esteri.it/rappresentanza_onu/it/comunicazione/archivio-news/unscforall.html|website=italyun.esteri.it|title=What the Uniting for Consensus Group is working for |access-date=23 August 2022}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.dhf.uu.se/pdffiler/cc4/cc4_web.pdf |title=The Quest for Regional Representation: Reforming the United Nations Security Council |author=Volker Weyel |date=May 2008 |publisher=[[Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation]] |access-date=3 November 2011}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.twq.com/03autumn/docs/03autumn_weiss.pdf |title=The Illusion of UN Security Council Reform |author=Thomas G. Weiss |date=Autumn 2003 |publisher=[[The Washington Quarterly]] |access-date=3 November 2011}}

{{International power}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Uniting For Consensus}}
[[Category:United Nations reform]]
[[Category:United Nations coalitions and unofficial groups]]
[[Category:Argentina–Italy relations]]
[[Category:Argentina–Mexico relations]]
[[Category:Argentina–Pakistan relations]]
[[Category:Argentina–South Korea relations]]
[[Category:Italy–Mexico relations]]
[[Category:Italy–Pakistan relations]]
[[Category:Italy–South Korea relations]]
[[Category:Mexico–Pakistan relations]]
[[Category:Mexico–South Korea relations]]
[[Category:Pakistan–South Korea relations]]