UN Security Council Reform for Sustainable Peace

The United Nations (UN) marks its 80th anniversary amid growing concerns about its ability to sustain global peace. While the UN Security Council (UNSC) authorises actions to address conflicts, it struggles to maintain long-term peace. Conflicts persist worldwide due to complex political realities and the lack of continuous diplomatic engagement. The current UN system often abandons peace processes too soon, resulting in stalled transitions and fragile agreements. This situation marks a critical institutional gap in the UN’s peace architecture.

Challenges in UN Peacekeeping and Diplomacy

The UNSC remains episodic in nature, authorising interventions but not maintaining ongoing political support. Peacekeeping missions provide stability but lack political strategies to ensure lasting peace. The Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), while valuable, has limited authority during active political transitions. Consequently, the UN loses continuity, context, and momentum in peace processes. Diplomacy has become reactive and short-lived rather than continuous and strategic.

Need for Institutional Innovation

Structural reform of the UNSC is necessary but slow and politically difficult. Meanwhile, functional reforms using existing UN Charter powers are urgent and feasible. The UN General Assembly can establish new subsidiary bodies under Article 22. Creating a dedicated body focused on political accompaniment during and after conflicts can fill the current void. This would enhance the UN’s ability to sustain peace without waiting for major UNSC reform.

Proposal – Board of Peace and Sustainable Security

A ‘Board of Peace and Sustainable Security’ (BPSS) would focus on political engagement after violence subsides. It would not replace the UNSC or interfere with state sovereignty. The BPSS would support nationally led dialogue, coordinate regional diplomacy, and link peacekeeping to political goals. It would integrate the PBC and align peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts with political outcomes. The board’s tools would be political, not coercive.

Representation and Membership

Credibility depends on balanced and representative membership. The BPSS would have about two dozen rotating member states elected by the General Assembly. Regional representation from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and West Asia would be guaranteed. Regional organisations would participate as members, reflecting peace efforts beyond New York. The board would avoid permanent seats and veto powers, promoting participation over privilege.

Concept of Sustainable Security

Sustainable security links peace with political stability, governance, inclusion, and responsible leadership. It respects state sovereignty and emerges from negotiated settlements, not imposed solutions. This approach avoids risks associated with preventive interventions and supports nationally led peace processes. Sustainable security combines conflict management with long-term development and regional cooperation.

Operational Style and Impact

The BPSS would be a working institution, not a forum for statements. It would maintain engagement after crises fade and track commitments over time. This would prevent loss of institutional memory and reduce drift in peace processes. The board would provide political continuity, discipline diplomacy, and reassure states and societies of sustained peace efforts. Its mandate would be modest but impactful.

Evolution over Revolution in UN Reform

Reform should not be an all-or-nothing choice. The UN must evolve responsibly by strengthening existing powers and principles. The BPSS would not redistribute global power but improve conflict management. It represents a practical step toward addressing the UN’s most damaging weakness – the lack of sustained political accompaniment from war to peace.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically analyse the role of the United Nations Security Council in maintaining international peace and security in the 21st century.
2. Explain the concept of sustainable security and its significance in contemporary conflict resolution with suitable examples.
3. What are the challenges faced by multilateral institutions in peacebuilding? How can institutional reforms enhance their effectiveness?
4. Comment on the importance of regional organisations in global peace processes and their integration within the United Nations framework.

Answer Hints:

1. Critically analyse the role of the United Nations Security Council in maintaining international peace and security in the 21st century.

1. UNSC authorises interventions to address conflicts but often remains episodic rather than continuous in engagement.
2. It struggles with political divisions among permanent members, causing paralysis and delayed action.
3. Peacekeeping missions stabilise but lack integrated political strategies for sustainable peace.
4. UNSC’s structure with veto powers limits reform and adaptability to complex modern conflicts.
5. It authorises action but does not sustain long-term peace or political accompaniment post-conflict.
6. Calls for reform exist but progress is slow; functional reforms using existing Charter powers are urgent.

2. Explain the concept of sustainable security and its significance in contemporary conflict resolution with suitable examples.

1. Sustainable security links peace with political stability, governance, inclusion, and responsible leadership.
2. It respects state sovereignty and is based on negotiated settlements, not imposed solutions.
3. Combines conflict management with long-term development and regional cooperation for lasting peace.
4. Avoids risks of preventive interventions that may infringe sovereignty or provoke backlash.
5. Supports nationally led peace processes, e.g., peacebuilding efforts in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
6. Emphasises gradual legitimisation of political agreements over time rather than short-term fixes.

3. What are the challenges faced by multilateral institutions in peacebuilding? How can institutional reforms enhance their effectiveness?

1. Challenges include episodic engagement, lack of political continuity, and inadequate coordination among bodies.
2. Peacekeeping missions often lack political mandates and fail to link security with governance outcomes.
3. Limited authority of institutions like the Peacebuilding Commission during active political transitions.
4. Diplomacy is reactive and short-lived, leading to stalled transitions and fragile agreements.
5. Institutional memory fades between mandate renewals, causing loss of momentum in peace processes.
6. Reforms like creating a ‘Board of Peace and Sustainable Security’ can ensure sustained political accompaniment and better coordination.

4. Comment on the importance of regional organisations in global peace processes and their integration within the United Nations framework.

1. Regional organisations understand local dynamics and have legitimacy in conflict zones (e.g., African Union, ASEAN).
2. They can facilitate regionally led dialogue and coordinate diplomatic initiatives effectively.
3. Integration as active participants (not mere observers) enhances UN’s contextual understanding and response.
4. Regional involvement reflects reality that peace is shaped beyond New York, in capitals like Addis Ababa, Jakarta, Brasília.
5. Collaboration prevents duplication, builds trust, and supports sustainable security through regional cooperation.
6. Formal representation in bodies like the proposed BPSS ensures balanced, inclusive decision-making and legitimacy.