President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has called for significant reforms to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to enhance its inclusivity, legitimacy, and effectiveness. Delivering a speech at the UNSC, Michel highlighted the urgent need for reforms, pointing to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Sudan as evidence of the UNSC’s current inefficacy in maintaining global peace.
Michel underscored that holding a permanent seat on the UNSC should be viewed not as a “privilege,” but as a grave responsibility entrusted to the five permanent members, often referred to as “the guardians of world peace.” He criticized some member states for failing to fulfill their responsibilities, which he argued has hampered the Council’s ability to address global crises effectively. You can read more about his speech here.
This call for reform comes amidst rising concerns about the abuse of veto powers by the UNSC’s permanent members. The issue of veto power has been particularly controversial, with former UN Assembly President Dennis Francis warning that its escalating use could paralyze the Council and hinder its capacity to address critical peace and security concerns. Further insights on this issue were discussed by Francis earlier this year.
The calls for reform have been echoed by others. Finland’s President Alexander Stubb recently advocated for the abolition of the single-seat veto power and proposed an increase in the number of permanent UNSC seats. These suggestions are part of broader initiatives to restructure the UNSC for greater effectiveness and representativeness. Stubb’s proposals can be further explored here.
Similar sentiments are reflected in the recent adoption of the Pact for the Future by the UN General Assembly. This document outlines various actions aimed at long-term goals, including potential restrictions on veto powers and an expansion of the UNSC’s membership to better reflect the current global geopolitical landscape.
However, implementing these reforms will be challenging. Changes to the UNSC’s composition require amendments to the UN Charter, which necessitates approval from at least two-thirds of the UN General Assembly and the unanimous consent of all five permanent UNSC members, as stipulated in Chapter 18 of the Charter.
For a more detailed account of Charles Michel’s speech and the proposed UNSC reforms, the primary coverage can be accessed via JURIST.