The representative of the USA at the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, announced the initiative of the United States regarding large-scale changes in the structure of the United Nations (UN). About this writes “Voice of America”.
According to Thomas-Greenfield, the US supports the reform of the UN Security Council to make it more “inclusive” and capable of solving modern challenges. She noted that it is important to pave the way to a multifaceted future that preserves the values of the past, but at the same time corresponds to the realities of the present.
Major US offerings include:
- creation of two permanent seats in the Security Council for African countries without the right of veto;
- adding a new electoral seat for small island developing States;
- joint work with other states on the reform of the Security Council and amendments to the UN charter.
When asked about the possible removal of countries that violate the principles of the UN Charter, Thomas-Greenfield noted that the mechanism for this exists, but its implementation is “very difficult.”
At the same time, the USA does not plan to change the number of permanent members of the Security Council, who have the right of veto. Currently, such countries remain the USA, Great Britain, France, China and Russia.
It is expected that negotiations on reforming the Security Council could begin during the UN General Assembly, which starts in a few weeks.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in turn, defended the Security Council amid criticism of its ineffectiveness. In an interview published on the eve of the General Assembly’s annual high-level week, he noted that the institution cannot be fairly judged because of its paralysis due to geopolitical differences, which have prevented the council from influencing the conflicts in Ukraine or Gaza for the past two years.
Guterres also emphasized that the Security Council remains a key player on the world stage, especially in matters of humanitarian aid, the fight against hunger, natural disasters and epidemics.
