G4 nations call for 'decisive push' for long-delayed UNSC reforms

India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar participated in G4 Foreign Ministers Meeting in which long delayed reforms of UN Security Council was discussed. G4 Ministers highlighted the urgency of reforming the United Nations and updating its main decision-making bodies.

New Delhi: The G-4 nations of India, Germany, Brazil and Japan on Wednesday called for a “decisive push” for the long-delayed reforms of the UN Security Council. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held the virtual meeting with the foreign ministers of Japan, Germany and Brazil-the G4 nation calling for revamp of the UN Security Council to make it more representative of the current global order than the 1945 system.

“Participated in G4 Foreign Ministers Meeting that called for a decisive push for UNSC reforms during UN 75. Unanimous call for text-based negotiations in a fixed time frame. Reformed multilateralism guides India’s approach to the United Nations”, Jaishankar tweeted.

The meeting of G4 Foreign Ministers is held on the sidelines for the annual UN General Assembly. With the high-level session being held virtually this year due to the pandemic, all meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly are also being held on a virtual platform.

During the meeting, G4 Ministers highlighted the urgency of reforming the United Nations and updating its main decision-making bodies, in order to better reflect contemporary realities. The Ministers expressed disappointment at attempts to derail this process and committed to addressing the issue in a meaningful way and with increased urgency at this 75th anniversary of the UN.

They reiterated their support for each other’s candidatures as aspiring new permanent members in a reformed Security Council given the capacity and willingness to take on major responsibilities with regard to the maintenance of international peace and security, citing that there is a clear need for an enhanced role of developing countries and of major contributors to the United Nations to make the Council more legitimate, effective and representative.

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They also emphasised that Africa needs to be represented in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of a reformed and expanded Security Council to correct the historical injustice against this continent with regard to its under-representation in the Security Council.

They also expressed their concern at the lack of any meaningful movement forward in the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform and expressed their concern that – after two sessions in February and March – the IGN was adjourned due to COVID-19 and no further meetings were held thereafter. However, virtual meetings or a written process could have taken place to allow for progress to be made in the previous session.

It is pertinent to note that in the 75th year of the United Nations, India will begin its two-year term as elected non-permanent member of the powerful Security Council from January 1, 2021, and it is believed that the G4 countries will intensify their efforts for major reforms in the council. The G4 nations support each other's bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.

In a video conference to the High-Level meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the world body faces a "crisis of confidence" without comprehensive reforms.

He asserted that today's interconnected world needs a reformed multilateralism that gives voice to all stakeholders, addresses contemporary challenges and focuses on human welfare.

India has been making efforts to reform the security council, saying a structure set up in 1945 does not reflect contemporary realities of the 21st century and is ill-equipped to handle current challenges.

According to government sources, four permanent members of the UNSC support India ie Britain, France, Russia and the US. China is seen as opposed to India due to its ties with Pakistan as well as Beijing’s own frictions with New Delhi.

An effective response to international terrorism, reforming multilateral systems, comprehensive approach to peace and security, technology with a human touch and inclusive solutions to foster development are some of the topmost priorities for India at its UNSC tenure.

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