UN Security Council reform is a song in a loop

Source: This post has been created based on the article “UN Security Council reform is a song in a loop” published in The Hindu on 12^th October 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations — Important International institutions, agencies and fora – their structure, mandate.

News: This article discusses the structural issues of equity and representation in the UN Security Council, and the various challenges associated with reforming the organisation.

The issue of fundamental reforms of the UNSC has resurfaced at the ongoing General Assembly session.

UN’s Secretary-General António Guterres mentioned that the world has changed, but not the institutions. This prevents the effective addressing of problems.

What are the issues of equity in representation at the UNSC?

1) Do not represent Present realities: 5 permanent members enjoy the privilege of a veto, merely because  of winning a war 76 years ago. The UNSC reflects the geopolitical realities of 1945 and not of today.

2) Disproportionate under-representation of countries: Out of 193 member-states of the UN, only 15 members (less than 8%) are represented in the UNSC. Europe, which accounts for only 5% of the world’s population, controls 33% of the seats.

3) Funders not represented: Japan and Germany have been the 2^nd and 3^rd largest contributors to the UN budget but are still referred to as ‘enemy states’ in the UN Charter.

4) Major players not represented: States such as India, despite its huge population, share of the world economy, or contributions in kind to the UN (through participation in peacekeeping operations, for example), are not represented.

What are the various challenges in reforming the UNSC?

1) Lack of support from small countries: These make up more than half the UN’s membership but have been indifferent to reform due to lack of incentive.

2) Lack of support from medium and large countries: They are against the select few trying to become permanent members due to a spirit of competition, historical grievance or simple envy.

3) Difficult procedure: The procedure to amend the UN Charter is very difficult. Any amendment requires a two-third majority, and further has to be ratified by two-thirds of the member states.

4) Power of veto: Any ratification also has to be supported by all of the existing permanent five members.

5) In the case of India: China won’t like diluting its status as the only Asian permanent member; Pakistan, is also opposed; and Indonesia seems to feel diminished by the prospect of an Indian seat.

6) In the case of Brazil: Argentina and Mexico opposed due to Brazil not representing the largely Hispanic Latin America.

7) In the case of Africa: Rivalry between Nigeria (largest democracy), South Africa (largest economy), and Egypt (oldest civilization).

What shows the ineffectiveness of the UNSC?

Failure to prevent conflict: In the Ukraine conflict, a Permanent Member of the Security Council invaded a sovereign state and the Council proved powerless.

Misuse of Veto Power: Russia’s veto has blocked resolutions on Ukraine, Syria and North Korea. Similar obstructionism by the West has affected proposals to reform the World Bank and IMF.

UNSC should not be allowed to fade into ineffectiveness and irrelevance as it is the only global system that brings all countries together on a common platform.