UN Security Council outdated and unrepresentative of today’s world: Guterres

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that the UN Security Council (UNSC) is outdated and unrepresentative of today’s world. He said at a press conference on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday (October 28) that there is a need to increase the representation of two African countries and several other Asian countries in the Security Council.
“The Council currently has three permanent European members – France, the United Kingdom and Russia and one Asian member – China. But there are no members from Latin America or Africa.” He added that the effectiveness of the Council is often questioned, especially because of the veto power of the permanent members. “The United Kingdom and France have put forward a proposal that would limit the use of the veto in certain circumstances. I think the members of the Council should seriously consider this proposal,” he added.
Guterres’ comments echo those of Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Hassan, who told the UN General Assembly in New York on September 27 that it was time to limit or even abolish the veto power. “The decision-making power should return to the General Assembly, which can act as the conscience and voice of the world,” he said.
Proposal to reform the UN structure
Guterres also said that the main reason behind the proposal to reduce the number of UN staff by 18.8 percent from 12,681 to 11,594 by 2026 was not the financial crisis, but the lack of funding from the United States. He stressed that the cuts would not affect aid to developing countries, but rather increase it.
“Outdated and unfair global financial system”
Guterres said that the current global financial system is outdated and discriminatory, which does not adequately reflect the needs of developing countries. “There is a clear injustice when you compare their participation in international financial institutions with the size of the ASEAN economies,” he said.
Guterres called for global governance to be more “inclusive, representative, equitable and effective.” “This means strengthening the participation of developing countries, especially ASEAN member states,” he said. He called for tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks, so that the risks and costs of borrowing are reduced and countries in debt distress receive rapid assistance.
G20’s responsibility to address climate change
The secretary-general also said that G20 countries, which are responsible for 80 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, must lead climate action. He called on developed countries to double the climate adaptation fund to at least $40 billion and to make significant contributions to the loss and damage fund.
“The G20 countries must lead, but all countries must take responsibility according to their capabilities,” Guterres said. He added, “Leaders at the conference in Brazil should reach consensus on a realistic plan that will help limit emissions to 1.5 degrees Celsius and secure $1.3 trillion in climate finance per year for developing countries by 2035.”