New York: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday held an open debate on ‘Effective multilateralism through safeguarding the principles of the UN Charter’. Meanwhile, India’s Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj questioned the veto power and said, “Can ‘effective multilateralism’ be practiced by defending a charter that makes 5 countries more qualified than others.” What makes 5 countries more qualified than others and gives each of those 5 the power to override the collective will of the rest of the 188 member states?’
According to news agency ANI, Ruchira Kamboj further said, ‘Even as we debate this issue and want ‘effective multilateralism’ to prevail, we are collectively aware of the inadequacies of the multilateral system which is unable to respond to contemporary challenges. Has failed to respond, whether it is the Covid epidemic or the current conflict in Ukraine.
“Furthermore, significant global challenges such as terrorism, extremism, climate justice and climate action, debt, and multiple geopolitical competitions continue to undermine global peace and security,” he said, adding that the UNSC needs to be strengthened for its effectiveness and credibility. In order to expand its representation of this core institution in more developing countries.
“If we continue to maintain the orthodox mindset of 1945, we will continue to lose the faith of our people in the United Nations,” said Kamboj. Talking strongly about India’s permanent place in the UNSC, he said, “India Was the founding signatory of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco on June 26, 1945. Seventy years on when we see entire continents of Africa and Latin America as well as the world’s largest democracy is kept out of global decision-making, we demand a major reform.
He said, ‘Last September, the UNGA heard a similar call for reforms from more than 70 world leaders. As our Foreign Minister said in the open debate of this Council on 14 December 2022, and I quote ‘Our shared agenda and future summits will yield results only when they respond to the growing demand for reform of multilateralism. ‘Reform is the need of the hour and I am confident that the Global South in particular shares India’s determination to persevere.’
