Pres Ali urges reformation at UNSC to increase representation

– says credibility, relevance of security organs on the line

Guyana, which is currently a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), continues to advocate for reforms at the institution, with President Dr. Irfaan Ali saying that changes are necessary if the council is to remain relevant and credible.
On Monday, while addressing the Summit of the Future at the United Nations (UN) in New York, President Ali spoke of, the need for reform of global institutions. According to Ali, institutions must be more inclusive and geared towards sustainable development goals.

“Our public policies and global strategies must be aligned and our global institutions are responsive. Outdated and broken global systems must be fixed,” the Head of State explained in his presentation.
“We must reform international financial architecture and make it more inclusive and conducive to sustainable development for all. But sustainable development cannot flourish, without peace and security.”
One institution in particular came in for special attention from the President, that being the UNSC. Guyana is currently a non-permanent member of the council, with its term set to last from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
However, the permanent members of the council; China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA), are the only ones with veto power. There have been calls for at least two new permanent members from Africa, to be added to the council.
Only last week, the US announced that it would throw its support behind this move, though there are still question marks over whether the new countries from the African continent would have the veto power. According to President Ali, the UNSC must become more representative.
“We must end and prevent wars. The security council must also be reformed, to be more representative, responsive and democratic. If not, it will lose both its credibility and relevance. Excellencies, as we seek to create a fair and just world, we must focus on including all our people. No region, no country, or no group, must be left behind,” Ali said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, who is accompanying President Ali to the UN, called on the security council to cooperate and find mutually acceptable solutions to present international challenges.
At a recent dinner meeting of the ten elected members and five incoming members, on the sidelines of the 9th Session of the UNGA, Minister Todd also urged the council to promote respect for human rights; and to play its part in harmonising the actions of nations.
“During his remarks, Minister Todd highlighted the importance of the grouping to provide leadership on matters of international peace and security in consonance with Member States’ international obligations to the principles of the United Nations Charter and multilateralism,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Earlier this year, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, had described the lack of Permanent representation for any small states or countries from Africa, as an injustice.
There is also the voting structure itself, with Article 27 of the UN Charter giving the power of veto to all permanent members on non-procedural decisions.

This has led to instances where all it took was one country withholding assent for a resolution to not pass, something the Ambassador highlighted.
In January of this year, Guyana took its seat as an elected member of the UNSC for a two-year term 2024-2025. In June 2023, Guyana was elected to the UNSC, becoming one of five new non-permanent members for the term.
This will be Guyana’s third time serving on the council following terms in 1975-1976 and 1982-1983. Guyana’s candidacy was uncontested, being the sole candidate for a single seat available to the Latin America and Caribbean Region, where it garnered the highest vote count at 191 out of 192.
The UN Charter established six main organs of the organisation, including the security council. It is given primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Its functions and powers are: to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the UN.
It is also tasked with investigating any dispute or situation that might lead to international friction; recommending methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement; formulating plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments; to determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression and to recommend what action should be taken among others.
In some cases, the security council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorising the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security. Temporary members hold their seats on a rotating basis by geographic region. Guyana will serve a two-year term on the Council from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025. (G-3)