Reform needed at level of UNSC – Guyana’s Permanent Rep

– calls for more inclusion among Permanent Members

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been described as the UN’s most undemocratic organ by Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, who on Wednesday highlighted the need for important reforms.
Rodrigues-Birkett was at the time addressing a Cara Lodge-hosted dialogue on the Summit of the Future. During the discussions, the Ambassador noted that one area in need of reform is the representation, or lack thereof, among the Permanent Members of the council.

Currently, the five Permanent Members of the council are the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), France, Russia, and China. There is no Permanent representation for any small states or countries from Africa, the latter of which she described as a “historical injustice”.
“We believe that in any reform of the security council, that first, it must be more representative. Can you imagine that we don’t have, if you’re talking about Permanent Members, Africa is not there as a Permanent Member?”
“That’s a historical injustice. Small states as well. A lot of them, I think we need more representation. So the Security Council reform is extremely important,” Rodrigues-Birkett explained.
Then there is the voting structure itself, with Article 27 of the 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.
“The Security Council is the most undemocratic organ of the United Nations. We sit there now and some days I am amazed. You have five countries with a veto. That could scuttle anything that you bring.”
“And you have seen in recent times where you have 13 countries voting in favor of (a resolution) and one country says no,” Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett added.
In January of this year, Guyana took its seat as an elected member of the United Nations Security Council 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 United Nations 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 United Nations.
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.