Reforming UNSC

Reforming United Nations Security Council, the UNSC, has been an earnest desire of member states who believe in pluralism, equality of sovereign rights and a world free from aggression. That, nonetheless, could not be achieved owing to the power politics exhibited by the permanent members of the elite club, with the pinnacle of ego-centrism resting in the veto power. Thus, wars, poverty and climatic degradation that impact billions of people are mere footnote concerns, as smaller states remain subjugated in the echelons of the world body. This is where a change is desired, if the world body has to absolve itself of a fate meted out to League of Nations.

Pakistan's call for a "more democratic, representative and accountable" UNSC must come to unite all member states under a single-point agenda. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has rightly warned that "unilateralism and selective application of international law" are factors that go on to undermine global stability. Earlier as well, Islamabad has canvassed for abolishing the veto power, with the member states reminded that the "General Assembly cannot be divorced from the real world", and "it's high time realpolitik took a backseat" at global fora.

It is current history that the US had gone on to invade foreign countries without a UN mandate. The overthrow of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is a case in point. Also, the transgression exhibited by Israel as it even went on to formally freeze all contacts with the UN Secretary-General is an indication of power arrogance that has weakened pluralistic thought process in the world body.

This chaotic order bred at the whims of the UNSC has led to more confusion, as territorial, political and self-determination issues remain unresolved. The principled obsession of 'Uniting for Peace' remains unrealised, as the UN Charter is miserably at the disposal of a few mighty entities. This is where China's doctrine of improving global governance through multilateral cooperation gains currency. A comprehensive and forward-looking framework for addressing the governance deficits of our age cannot be ignored any further.