India calls for urgent reforms in UN security council
India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Yojna Patel, has urged for a decisive and transparent reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC), emphasizing the need for text-based negotiations to tackle persistent challenges. Patel addressed these points at a recent UN forum, highlighting the urgent need for progress in UNSC reform efforts.
Patel acknowledged the contributions of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process co-chairs, particularly their initiatives like the digital repository and webcasting, which aim to improve discussions. However, she criticized the limited advancements made so far, stating that the current pace of reform is insufficient given the critical nature of the issues at hand.
A key aspect of India’s position is the adoption of text-based negotiations within the IGN framework. Patel underscored that, unlike other multilateral processes, UNSC reform discussions have not yet embraced text-based negotiations, a crucial step for meaningful progress. She warned that the delay in this approach exacerbates the Council’s difficulties in addressing global challenges effectively.
Patel also criticized the Elements Paper, a document that summarizes various inputs on UNSC reforms. She pointed out its inconsistencies and the lack of consensus on several issues, noting that the inclusion of cross-regional groupings in the Convergences section, despite the absence of broad agreement, was misleading and counterproductive.
Additionally, Patel expressed concerns about the upcoming Summit of the Future (SoTF) and its dependence on consensus for finalizing the “Pact for the Future.” She argued that the current draft from the IGN Co-Chairs does not adequately reflect the agreement of member states, potentially undermining the legitimacy of the final document.
India has called for a more constructive and timely approach to UNSC reform, advocating for a clear roadmap and adherence to the General Assembly’s procedural rules. Patel cautioned that without meaningful progress and a commitment to text-based negotiations, the reform process risks becoming ineffectual.
