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 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。