Pakistan Calls for UN Security Council Reform, Advocating for Transparency and Inclusiveness

By DTD- On Mar 2, 2025

New York – Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Munir Akram, has urged the UN Security Council (UNSC) to adopt more “transparent and inclusive” working methods to effectively address global and regional conflicts. Speaking at a debate on the Security Council’s Working Methods, held under the long-running Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council Reforms, Akram emphasized the necessity of restructuring the 15-member body to reflect contemporary global realities.

Ambassador Akram noted that while there is widespread agreement on the urgent need to reform the UNSC, the “Pact for the Future” adopted by world leaders last September highlighted the importance of strengthening not just the Council but the broader UN system, including the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and the Peacebuilding Commission.

In his remarks, Akram proposed a comprehensive approach to reform, calling for a focus on making progress on all fronts to ensure the UN bodies are fit for purpose. He further critiqued proposals for expanding the Council by adding permanent members, arguing that such a move would freeze the Council in its 1945 framework, thus failing to adapt to the evolving geopolitical landscape.

“Any expansion of permanent members would freeze the Council at that moment; it is only through the process of elections that the new realities can be reflected in the composition of the Security Council,” Akram said. He was responding to a push by the Group of Four – India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan – which advocates for permanent seats and a 10-seat expansion, including six permanent and four non-permanent members.

Contrasting with this, Pakistan, as part of the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) group alongside Italy, proposed an alternative model. Their plan includes creating a new category of members with longer terms but no permanent status, thereby increasing the total number of elected seats to 21. This proposal aims to maintain flexibility and reflect the dynamic nature of global politics.

The current UNSC is composed of five permanent members (the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom) and 10 non-permanent members, who are elected for two-year terms. While there is general agreement on expanding the representation of developing countries, particularly from Africa, debates continue on key issues such as the Council’s size, membership categories, and the controversial veto power wielded by the permanent members.

On the subject of working methods, Ambassador Akram highlighted the need for greater transparency and more inclusive decision-making. He called for open meetings and interactive discussions that would allow elected members a more substantial role, challenging the dominance of the P5 in the decision-making process.

“The role of elected members needs to be strengthened to break the oligopoly of the P5 in the Security Council,” Akram stated. He also stressed the importance of ensuring that the selection processes for key positions within the Council’s subsidiary bodies be more transparent and fair.

Furthermore, Akram called for a review of the Council’s sanctions regimes, particularly with regard to Chapter 7 enforcement resolutions, which provide the legal framework for imposing sanctions and military intervention. He argued that these processes need to be reconsidered to ensure they are more accountable and aligned with contemporary international norms.

In conclusion, Ambassador Akram urged for mechanisms to better monitor and implement UNSC resolutions, ensuring that the Council’s decisions are effectively carried out and that the UN remains a relevant force in addressing global peace and security challenges.

The call for reform of the UN Security Council continues to be a central issue at the UN, with diverging opinions on how best to achieve a more representative and effective institution. Pakistan’s stance is one of greater inclusivity and transparency, with a strong emphasis on empowering elected members to play a more meaningful role in the UN’s peacekeeping and diplomatic efforts.