Permanent Member：常任理事國

　　聯合國秘書長安南曾明確提出，2004年將是聯合國“改革年”，因此改革理所當然是今年第59屆聯大的主題，而聯合國安理會的改革則成為焦點中的焦點。目前希望成為常任理事國的國家至少有德國、日本、印度、馬來西亞、巴西、尼日利亞、埃及、南非、印尼、意大利、墨西哥、澳大利亞等國，其中，德、日、印的角逐尤其激烈。有這樣的外文報道：

　　As a non-permanent member, Germany has earned a reputation as a constructive and reliable partner. What's more, Germany is the third largest contributor to the UN budget.

　　India's bid for a permanent seat relates primarily to the country's size, its population, its position in Asia, and its growing military clout.

　　As the second largest contributor to UN funds, Japan is also scrambling for a permanent place at the table.

　　Although all three countries have shown their willingness to play a crucial role in the UN, winning a permanent seat on the Security Council will not be easy. Any reform to the Council needs the approval of two thirds of member countries.

　　Permanent member表示“常任理事國”，而non-permanent member就表示“非常任理事國”了。

　　但是，無論哪個國家，要實現成為常任理事國的夢想都絕非易事。常任理事國的資格批準不僅需得到所有191個聯合國會員國中的三分之二多數票，還需得到現有5個常任理事國的全體贊同票。