Singapore Calls for UN Security Council Veto Reform Amidst Rising Global Conflicts
New york – Singapore is urging the United Nations to curtail the veto power held by the five permanent members of the Security Council, arguing the privilege is increasingly hindering effective action in a world grappling with escalating conflicts. The call for reform, delivered by Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan at the UN General Assembly, aims to make the international body more inclusive and responsive to modern challenges.
Speaking in New York on sunday, Balakrishnan stated that the veto rights are being used with increasing frequency, often obstructing resolutions even with broad international support. “Improvement, and if I can add, the use of cynical veto rights by the P5 should be restricted,” he emphasized, referring to the permanent five: china, France, Russia, Britain, and the United States.
Balakrishnan stressed the need for a broader consensus among UN member states regarding the future application of the veto. He argued that the global landscape has fundamentally shifted as the UN’s founding, necessitating a re-evaluation of its structure and function.
“As the world has changed dramatically in the last 80 years,it is also clear that the united Nations needs to reform to be in accordance with its objectives for the next period. We need a more representative and inclusive UN that reflects the latest reality,” he explained.
The call for reform comes amidst heightened scrutiny of the Security Council