US Proposes UN Security Council Reform: Permanent Seats for Africa, New Role for Small Island States

September 12, 2024
US Proposes UN Security Council Reform: Permanent Seats for Africa, New Role for Small Island States
  • On September 12, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, announced a proposal to reform the UN Security Council.

  • The proposal includes the creation of two permanent seats for African countries and a rotating seat for small island developing states, without granting them veto powers.

  • This initiative aims to address longstanding demands from developing nations for greater representation in the Security Council, which currently consists of five permanent members with veto power.

  • President Joe Biden has previously expressed support for permanent seats for Africa and Latin America, emphasizing the need for increased representation during his speech at the UN General Assembly.

  • UN Secretary-General António Guterres has also called for reform, highlighting concerns about the legitimacy and effectiveness of the current Security Council structure.

  • Despite widespread recognition of the need for reform, achieving consensus on the future composition of the Security Council remains complex due to differing opinions.

  • Calls for reform have been ongoing since 1979, but deep divisions among member states have stalled progress.

  • While Thomas-Greenfield's tenure has received mixed reactions, she is viewed as having managed her role competently and may leave behind a plausible agenda for UN reform.

  • Currently, African nations hold three non-permanent seats on the Security Council, which limits their influence and ability to represent their interests effectively.

  • Challenges to reform include determining which African countries will receive the two permanent seats and overcoming opposition from China and Russia, who fear a loss of influence.

  • Thomas-Greenfield emphasized the need to formalize these proposals in a draft resolution, while recognizing the challenges of achieving consensus among the 193 U.N. member states.

  • The U.S. supports the expansion of the Security Council but does not endorse granting veto power to the new members.

Summary based on 12 sources


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