Hindu Editorial Analysis : 30-December-2023

The call for fundamental reforms at the United Nations (UN) has resurfaced after more than three decades, particularly focusing on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This organ, established to maintain international peace and security, has faced criticism for its composition, privileges, and inability to effectively address global conflicts.

UNSC Structure and Elections:
  • Established in 1946, the UNSC comprises 15 members, with five permanent members holding veto power.
  • Non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms based on regional distribution.
  • Reform discussions revolve around categories of membership, veto power, regional representation, Council size, and its working methods.
Need for UN Reforms:
  1. Non-Representative Council Membership:
    • Originally, the Council represented 22% of UN member states; now, with 193 members, it includes only 8%, leading to inadequate representation.
  2. Continuing Privilege:
    • The permanency of veto power for five members based on historical positions raises questions about fairness and equity.
  3. Imbalance of Power:
    • The European dominance in the Council, with just 5% of the global population, highlights an outdated balance of power.
  4. Financial Contribution Disparities:
    • Some non-permanent members contribute more financially than certain permanent members, challenging the fairness of their influence.
  5. Unchecked Conflicts:
    • Criticisms point to the UNSC’s inability to address ongoing conflicts, allowing some nations and non-state actors to benefit from conflict economies.
  6. Inability to Discharge Basic Functions:
    • The Security Council, hampered by veto power, struggles to take action against aggression, as seen in Russia’s actions against Ukraine.
  7. India’s Contribution & Representation:
    • Countries like India, significant contributors to the world economy and peacekeeping operations, face limited opportunities for representation.
Challenges of UN Reforms:
  1. Unequal Perceptions:
    • While some nations demand reform for equitable representation, smaller countries accept their occasional non-permanent seats.
  2. Amendment Difficulties:
    • The high bar for amending the UN Charter, requiring a two-thirds majority and subsequent ratification, poses a significant challenge.
Why In News

More than three decades after the debate first started over fundamental reforms at the United Nations (UN), the issue appears to have resurfaced afresh, signaling a renewed global urgency for transformative changes in the organization’s structure and functioning.

MCQs about The Urgency of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Reform

  1. How many members does the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) have?
    A. 10
    B. 15
    C. 20
    D. 25
  2. Which of the following regions has the least representation in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)?
    A. African and Asian States
    B. Eastern European States
    C. Latin American and Caribbean States
    D. Western European and other States
  3. Why is there a call for reform in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)?
    A. Excessive bureaucracy
    B. Lack of cultural diversity
    C. Inability to maintain peace and security effectively
    D. Overemphasis on economic issues

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