TCSS Security Commentaries #037
“The United Nations, as an organization, has seen a decline in its effectiveness in addressing significant global conflicts. This trend is particularly evident within its main body, the Security Council, underscoring the urgent necessity for comprehensive reforms.”
Italo M. de Queiroz, Interns, TCSS.
On October 18, 2023, the United States was the only country to vote against the resolution presented by Brazil, which was presiding over the Security Council that month, for a “humanitarian pause” to allow the entry of aid into the besieged Palestinian territory. Twelve out of the fifteen countries had supported the Brazilian proposal, while Russia and the United Kingdom abstained. Several other members expressed the view that Brazil’s text was well-balanced. They conveyed deep regret that the resolution did not garner enough support for passage.The explanation given by the United States Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, was that the resolution did not acknowledge Israel’s right to self-defense, or, in other words, the absence of Article 51 of the UN Charter, which is already explicitly stated and did not need to be in the resolution presented by the resolution. However, the Security Council could not reach a consensus text, and other proposals for a humanitarian ceasefire were also rejected in the council. What Brazil presented while presiding over the council, the United States put into practice, demonstrating that it is the only actor that can bring peace to that region or assume the role of the world’s police.
On October 27, the General Assembly approved a proposed resolution from Jordan and other Arab countries, the text called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, but even so Israel chose to neglect the resolution.
Brazil has officially passed the rotating presidency of the Security Council to China. Notably, after Beijing has taken on a mediating role in facilitating discussions between Saudi Arabia and Iran in traditionally considered within the sphere of American influence. This shift raises the question: Will China seize this opportunity to showcase its diplomatic prowess on the global stage?
When conflicts arise that impact the interests of the five permanent members, a recurring pattern emerges within the Security Council. Typically, the Council becomes polarized, with one faction led by the United States and the other by Russia and China. This persistent division hinders the formulation of effective solutions, underscoring a growing polarization in the international system and a resurgence of unilateral actions.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war exemplifies the difficulties in finding multilateral resolutions to conflicts. The 78th session of the UN General Assembly in September witnessed a notable absence, as only President Joe Biden among the leaders from the UNSC permanent member countries attended the summit. This underscores the urgency for reforms not only within the Security Council but also across the entire organization.
The Security Council is indeed in need of a more comprehensive reform, which has not occurred since the 1960s, the only significant change made at that time was an increase in the number of non-permanent member countries. This global architecture is reflected in the structure of the current international organizations that we have built to prevent humanity from repeating the horrors of the Second World War. Now the world is going through two major wars under the effectiveness of the UN. The UN needs to undergo reforms to remain relevant and effective. The organization needs to increase the permanent members of the security council with a situation that represents the challenges of the 21st century and that the people of the world can feel represented. The world has changed but the UN remains as it was created, it is the right time for reforms, the time which geopolitics are once again more intense .
Italo Matos de Queiroz is an undergraduate student at Ming Chuan University, where he majors in International Affairs and Diplomacy and an intern at TCSS.
Taiwan Center for Security Studies 