Introduction
The reform of the Security Council is potentially the most important and politically charged issue facing the United Nations.1 There hasn’t been any reform since the funding of the United Nation in 1945 except for one expansion of non-permanent membership in 1963. The five permanent members of the United Nations are China, France, the Russia Federation, United Kingdom and United States and they represent the global power. Since 1945 the economic and political changes that have taken place have questioned the legitimacy of permanent member seats. In December 1993, the General Assembly established an Open-ended Working Group to consider an increase in the membership of Security Council and reforming the working methods.
The demands placed on the reform were the increase in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, the veto as an anachronistic and undemocratic instrument, the improvement of working methods and the enhancement of transparency. They requested the conclusion of the reform be as quick as realistically possible. Different opinions could be found in the size of increase by category of membership, the total size of enlarged Council, the composition of an expanded Council and in the approval of a reform. This was the outcome after initial consultation of the member states about this topic in 1997. Over this period many resolutions were proposed but a consensus could not be found.
At a press conference in May this year Ambassador Zahir Tanin, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the UN and Chair of Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform released the current overview on the debate and concluded that “there is light at the end of the tunnel”. By having a closer look at the overview a likely conclusion on the reform is doubtful. Many major issues for example the veto power and Council size have not been solved but have shown how crucial they are in the past. In this paper I am going to examine the current status in the realm of the past to see what it could mean for the future perspective of the reform.
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Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Current reform status in the realm of the past
- Composition
- Regional representation
- Relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly
- The reform of the veto
- Improvements in the Security Council's working methods
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to examine the current status of the Security Council reform and its potential future perspectives. It analyzes past discussions and negotiations, highlighting key issues and challenges.- Expansion of Security Council membership
- Reform of the veto power
- Improving the working methods of the Security Council
- Regional representation and the balance of global power
- Relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction
The introduction sets the context for Security Council reform, highlighting its importance as a crucial issue for the United Nations. It explores the historical background, emphasizing the need for reform due to changes in global power dynamics. The introduction also mentions the establishment of the Open-ended Working Group to consider membership expansion and reform of working methods.Current Reform Status in the Realm of the Past
This chapter delves into the various models proposed for Security Council reform, focusing on aspects like composition, functions, voting procedures, and regional representation. It examines the different perspectives on the size of the Council, the categories of membership, and criteria for selecting new members.Composition
This section discusses differing opinions on the size of the Security Council, the categories of membership, and the regional representation of new members. It analyzes models proposed by various states, including the United States, Germany, Japan, and the African Union, highlighting their diverging positions and the challenges in achieving a consensus.Regional Representation
The section focuses on the debate surrounding regional representation within the Security Council, particularly the need for greater inclusion of developing countries. It addresses the increasing relevance of international organizations like the European Union and the implications for membership.Relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly
This section examines the power dynamics between the Security Council and the General Assembly, exploring the ongoing debate about their respective roles and responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security. It highlights the perspectives of both permanent members and non-Council members, analyzing their differing views on transparency, access to information, and the annual report submitted by the Security Council to the General Assembly.The Reform of the Veto
The chapter delves into the contentious issue of reforming the veto power held by the permanent members of the Security Council. It examines past attempts to address this issue, including proposals to limit the use of the veto and suggestions for alternative approaches.Improvements in the Security Council's Working Methods
This section focuses on efforts to enhance the transparency and working methods of the Security Council, emphasizing the need for greater access for non-Council members. It analyzes proposals aimed at improving consultation, information sharing, and engagement with external actors.Conclusion
The conclusion reiterates the urgent need for Security Council reform, highlighting the evolving global landscape and the need for greater representation of key regions in the world. It emphasizes the importance of addressing the veto power as a critical aspect of the reform process.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords and focus topics of the text include Security Council reform, veto power, membership expansion, regional representation, transparency, working methods, United Nations, global power dynamics, developing countries, permanent members, non-permanent members, General Assembly, and international organizations.- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2009, A perspective on the Security Council reform, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/135856