UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations General Assembly has commenced deliberations on the reforms of the Security Council. Pakistan has emphasized that the Council’s effectiveness in addressing the Gaza conflict is impeded by the absence of consensus among its permanent members.
General Assembly President Dennis Francis also echoed the urgency for reform, amid conflicts raging in Ukraine and Gaza.
In the debate that began on Thursday, Pakistan’s UN envoy Munir Akram criticised the Security Council for its failure to bring peace to Gaza.
Munir Akram criticises lack of consensus among permanent members over invasion of Gaza
The General Assembly has grappled with equitable representation since 1979, and the recent crises underscore the need for change.
President Francis warned that without structural reform, the council’s performance, legitimacy, and the UN’s credibility and relevance would suffer. He noted that violence and war continue globally while the UN seems paralysed due to the council’s divisions.
However, Pakistan supports adding longer-term seats to the 15-member Security Council if done equitably. Ambassador Akram stated: “Any country seeking a more frequent presence on the Security Council should do so by subjecting itself to the democratic process of periodic election by the General Assembly.”
Deputy Permanent Representative Nedra P. Miguel, speaking for the L.69 group of developing countries, stressed that the Security Council is “no longer fit for purpose” and called for urgent reform. She criticised the over-representation of Western countries, stating it doesn’t reflect the UN’s diverse composition or current geopolitical realities.
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