UNITED NATIONS СALLS FOR CANCEL DEBTS OF AFRICAN COUNTRIES
They would represent the impoverished and underdeveloped of the world at a highly influential forum - the United Nations Security Council.
Countries such as South Africa, Brazil and India will anxiously be awaiting the December 1 report from the Panel on Threats, Changes and Challenges commissioned by United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, which will chart a revolutionary new path for the world body.
The eagerly awaited reform will be a landmark event because it will be the first time that developing nations could have an equal voice.
President Thabo Mbeki has said South Africa would be willing to take up a seat on the Security Council if asked.
South African parliamentarians are expected to launch the first salvo in the battle for an Africa seat when they place the topic on the Pan African Parliament (PAP) agenda for discussion.
Lobbying at the UN is also expected to start this week.
"There is now that momentum and commitment for reform which has been in the works for 10 years. This is now becoming a reality," South Africa's ambassador to the UN, Dumisani Kumalo, said from New York.
"The reason the secretary-general created this panel is that the world we have in 2004 is very different from the one in 1945, and the instruments to deal with these challenges need to change," said Kumalo.
In 1945, the UN appointed China, Russia, France, Britain and the United States as the five permanent members of the Security Council, with veto powers. Another 10 are elected for a two-year term, without a veto.
Fatima Hajaig, a South African representative at the Pan African Parliament and co-chair of parliament's foreign affairs committee, said: "The issue is very important. Everybody will be talking about it, so we will see if we can discuss this.
"Already we have talked in general terms of the reform of the UN and the Security Council. We all know there are major problems and that reform is long overdue.
"The president made the announcement only a few days ago, and many of us are still digesting this. There hasn't been time for lobbying. It's all still very open," said Hajaig.
If any African country receives the support of PAP, it would serve as one of the best indicators as to who the people of the continent wish to be their New York representative.
Egypt and Nigeria have also staked their claims as candidates if a seat on the Security Council materialises.
Analysts have said that South Africa's late announcement of its willingness to take up the proposed "Africa seat" was in keeping with the idea of not breaking ranks and solidarity with the continent.
On Sunday the South African government played down the prospect of a battle for a permanent seat on the Security Council.
"Our announcement does not represent competition against any other African country or countries," said a statement by the foreign affairs department.
"South Africa will continue to work with the continent to ensure the outcome of this process is in the best interests of the people of Africa and the world."
Another proposal put forward to the UN was that there be a rotating seat for Africa on the permanent council.
"However, Africa has always been convinced of the need for two permanent seats in a restructured Security Council," the department said.
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