Calls Mount to Abolish UN Vetoโค Power as Global Orderโ Shifts
UNITED NATIONS -โข Growing internationalโค pressure is building โฃfor reform of the United Nations Security Council, specifically targeting the veto โpower heldโข by its five โpermanentโข members – the United States, Russia, China,โฃ France, andโ the United Kingdom. Singapore‘s โForeign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan hasโ become the โlatest voice calling for a more โrepresentative andโ inclusive UN,arguing the current structure fails to reflect the realities of the 21st century.
Balakrishnan โคstated that the post-World War II world order “ended,” citing a dramatic shift in the distribution of economic weight, technological sophistication, and military power since 1945. This callโข for reform comes โขamid increasing frustration with the Security Council’s inaction on critical global conflicts, most recently demonstratedโค by the US veto of a resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza on February 21st. Fourteen โฃother UNโข member states voted inโค favor of the resolution, wich the US opposed โdue to its failure to condemn โขHamas or acknowledge Israel’s right to self-defense.
The debate over theโ veto โขpower isโข not new. Last year, during a UN Security Council Open Debate, Singapore also advocated forโ board reform, including restrictions on veto rights. The currentโ system, โฃcritics argue, allows a single permanent member to block resolutions even with overwhelming international support,โ effectively paralyzing the Council’s ability to address urgent crises.
Balakrishnanโข also emphasized the need โฃfor a stronger relationship between the Security Council and the UN General Assembly. He further indicated Singapore would reconsider its position on recognizing a Palestinian state should Israel take steps that further undermine the possibility of a two-state solution.
The escalating conflict in Gaza, where over 65,000 Palestinians have been killed as October 7, 2023 – the majority women and children – has intensified โcalls for accountability andโ a reevaluation of the UN’sโ effectiveness. Israel maintains its military actions are aimed โat destroying Hamas, which claimed responsibilityโข for the deaths of 1,200 peopel in โIsrael and continues โto hold hostages in Gaza.The situation underscores the urgent needโ for a more equitable โand responsive international framework, advocates say, one where the interests ofโฃ all nations are considered, not just those of a privileged few.
