• The US announced new proposals for reforms of the United Nations Security Council. 

• It has reaffirmed long-standing support for India, Japan and Germany to sit as permanent members in the powerful UN body. 

• Just days before world leaders gather in New York for the landmark Summit of the Future and UN General Assembly high-level week, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced that Washington supports creating two permanent seats for Africa on the Council in addition to non-permanent membership for African countries.

• However, she later said Washington opposes giving veto power to the African countries that would hold the two permanent seats because the veto makes the Security Council’s work “dysfunctional”.

• That view shows the limits in the amount of power that Washington wants to give to any other country. While Security Council resolutions are legally binding, they are often ignored by targeted countries.

• Virtually all countries agree that nearly eight decades after the United Nations was established in the wake of World War II, the Security Council should be expanded to reflect the world in the 21st century and include more voices. But the central question — and the biggest disagreement — remains how to do it.

What is the United Nations Security Council?

• The United Nations Charter established six main organs of the United Nations, including the Security Council.  

• The Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, has not changed from its 1945 configuration: 10 non-permanent members from all regions of the world elected for two-year terms without veto power and five countries that were dominant powers at the end of World War II are permanent members with veto power: the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France.

• All members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council. While other organs of the United Nations make recommendations to Member States, only the Security Council has the power to make decisions that Member States are then obligated to implement under the Charter.

• The Security Council held its first session on January 17, 1946 at Church House, Westminster, London. 

• Since its first meeting, the Security Council has taken permanent residence at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

• A representative of each of its members must be present at all times at UN headquarters so that the Security Council can meet at any time as the need arises.

• The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression. 

• It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. 

• In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorise the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.

• The Security Council has a presidency, which rotates, and changes, every month.

The 10 non-permanent seats are distributed on a regional basis as follows:

• Five for African and Asian States.

• One for Eastern European States.

• Two for the Latin American and Caribbean States.

• Two for Western European and other States. 

• Every year, the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members for a two-year term. 

• Voting is conducted by secret ballot and candidates must receive a two-thirds majority, or 128 votes, even if they run uncontested.

The need for reforms in UNSC

• Powerplay in UNSC: Russia’s veto power, for instance, has stymied any council action on the war in Ukraine and U.S. support for its ally Israel has limited the council’s response to the war in Gaza.

• Representation and Legitimacy: The Security Council plays a pivotal role in global peacekeeping and conflict resolution. To ensure its decisions are respected and implemented universally, the Council must have both authority and legitimacy. This requires a composition that reflects the present global landscape and diverse member states.

• Outdated Composition: The Security Council’s structure, based on the geopolitical realities of 1945 and slightly adjusted in 1963-65, is no longer reflective of the current world order. Since its inception, 142 new countries have joined the UN, but regions like Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean remain underrepresented. Reforms are necessary to address these imbalances.

• Recognition of Contributions: The UN Charter emphasizes the importance of recognising countries that make substantial contributions to the organisation. This highlights the candidacies of nations like India, Germany, and Japan for permanent seats, acknowledging their significant contributions to global peace and development.

• Risk of Alternative Decision-Making Forums: Without timely reforms, there is a growing risk that global decision-making processes may shift to alternative forums outside of the Security Council. This would dilute the Council’s authority and effectiveness, ultimately undermining its central role in maintaining international peace and security.

• Misuse of Veto Power: The veto power wielded by the P-5 members (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US) has long been criticized for being undemocratic and obstructing essential decisions. Critics argue that this exclusive power, which allows a single country to block Council action, is no longer appropriate for today's interconnected and diverse global security landscape.

• Inadequacy of Exclusive Decision-Making: In the face of contemporary global challenges, the reliance on an exclusive, limited group of decision-makers is increasingly seen as ineffective. Broader representation and more inclusive frameworks are essential for maintaining the Security Council’s relevance and effectiveness in addressing global security concerns.

What is the procedure of UN Security Council reforms?

The process for reforming the UN Security Council involves two critical stages, as per Article 108 of the UN Charter:

i) First Stage: General Assembly Approval

• The General Assembly, where all 193 member states have an equal vote, must approve the proposed reform.

• The reform requires a two-thirds majority for approval, which amounts to at least 128 member states.

• Importantly, in this stage, no veto power is granted to the permanent members (P-5), as per Article 27 of the Charter.

ii) Second Stage: Charter Amendment and Ratification

• Once approved by the General Assembly, the UN Charter must be amended.

• This amendment requires ratification by at least two-thirds of the member states, including all five permanent members (P-5) — the US, UK, France, Russia, and China.

• The ratification process follows the national procedures of each member state, and the involvement of parliaments in P-5 countries can influence the process, potentially affecting the amendment's entry into force.

• This two-stage process highlights the complexity of Security Council reform, especially the crucial role of the P-5 in the final stage, where their approval is indispensable for any amendments to take effect.

Way forward

i) Engagement and Consensus Building:

• Promote inclusive dialogues, focusing on the views of underrepresented regions such as Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

• Build consensus among member states by emphasising representation, legitimacy, and the effectiveness of the Security Council.

• Seek common ground on reform objectives to ensure broad support across different geopolitical interests.

ii) Amending the UN Charter:

• Facilitate cooperation between all stakeholders, particularly the P-5 members, to streamline the ratification process.

• Ensure the amended UN Charter reflects modern global realities, recognising the geopolitical shifts since the Charter’s inception.

iii) Addressing Veto Power:

• Explore reforms that balance decisive action with concerns over fairness and inclusivity.

• Consider proposals to limit or regulate the use of veto power, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.

• Encourage the alignment of veto use with the Council’s core mandate to maintain international peace and security.

iv) Strengthening Council Effectiveness:

• Improve the Council’s capacity for swift and effective responses to emerging global threats like conflicts, humanitarian crises, and security challenges.

• Foster cooperation with other UN bodies, regional organisations, and stakeholders to maximise the use of global expertise and resources for peacekeeping and conflict resolution.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)