As conflicts escalate worldwide, calls for reforming the UN Security Council, which concentrates power in the hands of the five permanent members (P5) — the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France — are gaining momentum.
During the 81st UN General Assembly's general debate held at the UN headquarters in New York on September 22, leaders from various countries raised concerns about the representation and veto power of the Security Council.
Currently, only the five permanent members among the 193 UN member states hold veto power, meaning that any major decision can be blocked if just one of these countries opposes it.
Countries like India, Brazil, Turkey, and Nigeria, which have significant roles in the global economy and population, argue that the current power structure established after World War II does not reflect the changes in the international community and are calling for reform.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his speech at the UN General Assembly, stated, "A system where the will of over 190 countries is determined by five is neither fair nor capable of building complete trust," urging for Security Council reform. He also advocated for the abolition of the veto power held by the permanent members.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized the Security Council's failure to respond effectively, saying, "We are all hindered by the Security Council's inability to fulfill its role."
The ongoing wars and military actions are further fueling the push for Security Council reform. The Wall Street Journal reported that following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the U.S. airstrikes in Iran and military operations in Venezuela this year have intensified debates over the effectiveness of the UN Charter and the existing international order.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres pointed out that the current international organization system remains rooted in past power dynamics. He emphasized the need for a strong and effective institution that reflects the changing realities of relative power among nations and economies today, particularly noting that it is increasingly difficult to justify the absence of African nations among the permanent members of the Security Council.
The issue of Security Council reform is gaining attention as it coincides with the upcoming selection process for the next UN Secretary-General. Guterres's term ends later this year, and former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan is currently leading in the Security Council's private preliminary voting. However, any candidate for Secretary-General cannot be elected if any of the P5 members exercise their veto power.
Nonetheless, the likelihood of the permanent members relinquishing their existing powers appears low. Russia has expressed support for expanding the permanent membership of the Security Council but insists that the current veto power must be maintained.
Concerns have also been raised about the concentration of influence among a few major powers in advanced technology fields, including artificial intelligence (AI). French President Emmanuel Macron warned against a situation where only the two superpowers, the U.S. and China, make decisions, expressing concern over the dominance of these countries in leading technologies, including AI.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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