No progress on UN Security Council expansion, say former Ambassadors
- Despite consistent efforts by India and other countries, the move for United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform and expansion has made “no progress” so far, conceded two former Indian Ambassadors to the United Nations, stressing that India must, however, continue to push its demand for inclusion in the top global decision-making body.
Highlights:
- The lack of progress has been the subject of considerable frustration ahead of this year’s Summit of the Future at the UN (September 22-23) that is expected to bring in more than 150 world leaders to discuss plans to “reboot” the UN, with India and its partners in the G-4 (Brazil, Germany and Japan), all of whom claim a permanent seat at the UNSC, lashing out in recent statements about the proposed “Pact of the Future” that will be released.
- “The short answer to whether there is progress in concrete terms, is no,” said India’s former Permanent Representative to the UN at a seminar organized at the India International Centre (IIC) in Delhi.
- She added that since 2023, there has only been movement in making the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process on UN reforms more transparent.
- Last week, India’s Acting Permanent Representative delivered a sharp address during an open debate at the UNSC, blaming the failure of the multilateral system on the “1945-vintage binary outlook reflected clearly in the composition of the Security Council”, referring to the fact that the five permanent members of the Security Council, or P5, are still those who are considered “victors” of the Second World War.
- “Disillusionment with the existing multilateral system has led member states to consider various alternatives,”.
Prelims Takeaway:
- UNSC Reforms
- IGN