Enlarge image
In the face of “global realities”: Linda Thomas-Greenfield, United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Photo:
JUSTIN LANE v EPO
The US has spoken out in favor of a reshuffle of the UN Security Council.
The background is a long-term partial blockade of the most powerful body of the United Nations, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"We should reach a consensus on reasonable and credible proposals to expand membership of the Security Council," said US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield in a keynote speech on the future of the United Nations in San Francisco.
The US wanted "to advance efforts to reform the UN Security Council."
The UN Security Council consists of 15 countries, but it is dominated by the five permanent members - USA, Russia, China, France and Great Britain - and their veto power.
The ten remaining states rotate every two years.
The composition of the Council reflects the global balance of power after World War II.
right of veto as an obstacle
During the Cold War, but also in recent years and the months since the start of the Ukraine war, it has been shown again and again how dysfunctional the body is, since a veto power can block any decision.
Demands were therefore repeatedly made to exclude Russia – which, however, is not actually possible.
Germany has been calling for a reform of the council for years.
"We should not defend an untenable and outdated status quo," Thomas-Greenfield said.
"The Security Council should also better reflect current global realities and include geographically different perspectives."
During the upcoming general debate at the UN General Assembly, Thomas-Greenfield intends to discuss appropriate steps with US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The ambassador also announced that the United States intends to waive its right of veto as much as possible in the future.
atb/dpa/Reuters