20 January 2025 : Daily Answer Writing

Q1) “We cannot effectively address problems as they are if institutions do not reflect the world as it is.” Analyse this statement with reference to the need for reforms in the UNSC. Also, discuss the ‘G4 model’ for pushing reforms in the Security Council.

 

(150 Words/10 Marks)

 

Answer:

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. It is charged with the responsibility of ensuring international peace and security, through powers to authorize peacekeeping missions, international military interventions and sanctions.

Need for reforms in the UN Security Council:

1. It represents the power dynamics of the post-World War 2 era., hence, UNSC no longer reflects the current geopolitical reality;

2. UNSC – in its current form – has failed in major international crisis such as failure to intervene in the ethnic genocide in Rwanda or against USA’s invasion of Iraq in violation of UN Charter.

3. UNSC is divided into P3 [USA, UK and France] and P2 [Russia and China] leading to groupism in exercise of veto [E.g., the recent Ukraine crisis.] + P5 have been dubbed as ‘self-selected group of privileged nations’ which is no longer tenable in a multipolar world;

4. Inadequate or absence of representation of many continents [Africa, South America] or countries with large percent of population of the world [e.g., India]

5. Fails to realize new geo-economic realities as major economic powers are not represented. [e.g., India, Germany, Japan] leading to ineffective consensus on issues like trade, freedom of navigation in international waters etc.

6. Failure to recognize the concerns of developing world facing challenges like climate change, radicalism, terrorism.

7. UNSC’s failure to resolve critical issues has resulted in the rise of multilateral groupings like BRICS, SCO, Quad etc, undermining the ‘legitimacy and relevance’ of international organizations like the UN.

G4 model for UNSC reforms:

Group of Four(G4) was formed in 2005 comprising of India, Japan, Germany and Brazil. The group is primarily focused on UNSC reform and permanent membership of the body.

1. Increase – proposes that the Security Council’s membership increase from the current 15 to 25-26, by adding six permanent and four or five non-permanent members.

2. Equitable regional representation for the 6 new permanent members – Africa (2), Asia-Pacific (2), Latin America and Caribbean (1), Western Europe and other member states (1)

3. No veto right to new permanent member for the first 15 years. Review this provision after 15 years.

4. For decisions, resolution to be decided by voting; requiring 14/15 of 25/26 members.

5. The UNSC should hold regular consultations with the President of UNGA on important issues and reports.

Measures required:

1. Need wider representation, inclusive negotiations and dialogues among member nations with special focus on Global South.

2. Need for transparency and accountability with respect to veto power + it should be used in a fair manner.

3. Strengthen the council’s effectiveness to respond swiftly to global conflicts and humanitarian crises.

 

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