KUALA LUMPUR: United Nations secretary-general António Guterres has admitted that the Security Council faces serious legitimacy and effectiveness issues, warning that its composition no longer reflects the realities of the modern world.
"We have three permanent members from Europe, France, the United Kingdom and Russia.
"No member from Latin America, no member from Africa, and one from Asia.
"This shows that the Security Council does not correspond at all to the world of today,” he told a press conference on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits here on Monday (Oct 27).
The UN Security Council (UNSC) includes five permanent members, each with the power to veto any matter put to a vote before the council. Those members are the United States, the United Kingdom, China, France and Russia.
Gueterres said Africa and Latin America should gain permanent representation to make the Security Council more inclusive and credible, while member states should also give serious consideration to proposals by the United Kingdom and France to limit the use of veto powers in some instances.
On Sept 28, Malaysia renewed its call for urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), saying that the veto power must be limited or even abolished to stop conflicts.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the veto has been used too often to block global efforts to stop conflicts and atrocities, leaving innocent lives at risk.
"No more shall we quietly accept the dismissal of our collective voice," he said in Malaysia's national statement at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
He stressed that this imbalance underscored the need for broader representation, particularly for the African continent and Asia, to ensure that the Council’s decisions carry greater global legitimacy.
Five of its 15 members have permanent seats and are granted veto power under the UN Charter.
