联合国秘书长安南曾明确提出，2004年将是联合国“改革年”，因此改革理所当然是今年第59届联大的主题，而联合国安理会的改革则成为焦点中的焦点。目前希望成为常任理事国的国家至少有德国、日本、印度、马来西亚、巴西、尼日利亚、埃及、南非、印尼、意大利、墨西哥、澳大利亚等国，其中，德、日、印的角逐尤其激烈。有这样的外文报道：
　　
　　As a non-permanent member, Germany has earned a reputation as a constructive¹ 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 clout².

　　As the second largest contributor to UN funds, Japan is also scrambling³ 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“常任理事国”，而non-permanent member就表示“非常任理事国”了。

　　但是，无论哪个国家，要实现成为常任理事国的梦想都绝非易事。常任理事国的资格批准不仅需得到所有191个联合国会员国中的三分之二多数票，还需得到现有5个常任理事国的全体赞同票

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