5 should be first reached on the framework for further consultations and intergovernmental negotiations, and that unilateral proposals should be discouraged. IV- OVERVIEW OF THE ENGAGEMENT AND OTHER INITIATIVES Areas of General Agreement 6. The consultation exercise has widened the perspective of the Committee on areas of agreement and disagreement on the Security Council reform, particularly relating to the African position. It has reconfirmed that there is general consensus on the need to reform the Security Council to make it more representative, democratic and reflective of the reality of the current world. Related to this, and of immediate significance to Africa, is that there is general agreement on the legitimacy of Africa’s demand for permanent representation in the Security Council. The critical challenge, however, is how to achieve this objective. In this connection, the report of the PGA’s Task Force and the OEWG, expected in June 2008, may shed more light on the possible way forward, especially in terms of defining negotiating procedures and framework or instrument for the proposed intergovernmental negotiations. 7. Another area of general agreement is the need to improve on the working methods as an integral part of the reform of the Council to make it more transparent and accessible to non-members, in particular, small member states. The driving force behind this aspect of the reform is the Group of S-5 (see table below). However, the Committee observed that some members of P5 hold the view that this is an internal matter of the Council, in accordance with Article 30 of the UN Charter, pertaining to the adoption of its rules of procedures. 8. The Open-Ended Working Group enjoys considerable support form delegations because it provides them with neutral debating and consultation platform for member states, in their individual or group capacities, to express their respective positions on the reform. 9. Lastly, progress on the reform process has been of procedural nature, and not substance. Thus, there is general agreement to move to inter-governmental negotiations, guided by among other factors, the following seven principles advanced by the President of the General Assembly in his statement to the first meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group during the 62nd Session of the General Assembly, held on 14 December 2007 , which are as follows: “First, we must bear in mind that Security Council Reform is an integral part of strengthening the UN. It must therefore go hand in hand with the transformation of the wider United Nations system; Second, prudent and principle oriented guidance by the President of the General Assembly is required, though it must be based on a joint venture with Member States in good faith and mutual respect.