The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six main organs of the UN, established under the UN Charter in 1945. It comprises 15 members, including five permanent members (the United States, the Russian Federation, France, China, and the United Kingdom) and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. Recently, it has come under scrutiny for being “paralysed” and “dysfunctional,” especially in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Hurdles in Reforming UN
Reforming the United Nations, particularly the UNSC, is a complex task. The main challenge lies in the divisions within the General Assembly, where amongst the 193 countries, five negotiating groups neutralise each other. Furthermore, despite recognising the need for reform, the permanent members of the UNSC have historically shown little enthusiasm for introducing significant changes to the UN system.
Issues with the UNSC
The effectiveness of the UNSC is hindered by various issues, such as lack of adequate representation and misuse of veto power. For instance, Africa, a continent of 54 countries, doesn’t have a permanent seat in the council. This lack of representation means that critical global opinions might not get heard. Similarly, globally important countries like India, Germany, Brazil, and South Africa also lack representation on the UNSC’s permanent members list.
Another pressing issue is the misuse of veto power. It is criticised as a privilege of the select few and non-democratic, often hindering the council from making necessary decisions. The geopolitical rivalry among the permanent members further complicates matters, preventing the formulation of effective mechanisms to deal with global issues.
Moreover, as the UNSC holds the responsibility for international peacekeeping and conflict resolution, its resolutions are binding on all member countries, posing a potential threat to any state’s sovereignty.
Potential Solutions
Making the UNSC more democratic, increasing its legitimacy, and addressing the power imbalance between the P5 and other countries are critical. Reforms should include expanding its permanent and non-permanent seats to accommodate the changing needs of global governance for peace and security. Equitable representation of all regions in the UNSC is also essential.
India, as a non-permanent member, plays a key role in these reforms. By drafting a resolution with a comprehensive set of proposals for reforming the UNSC and revitalising its engagement with traditional partners in the “global south,” India can effectively articulate their peace and security concerns in the UNSC.
Relevance to UPSC Examination
This topic figures prominently in the syllabus of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. For instance, in the 2009 Prelims, a question was posed about the term of the non-permanent members of the Security Council. The correct answer is two years. In the 2015 Mains, candidates were asked to discuss the obstacles India faces in its pursuit of a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
