News Highlight:
India assumed the monthly rotating presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on December 1. Presidency of India at the UNSC for the second time in its two-year tenure as an elected member of the Council in 2021-22.
Key Takeaway:
- India had earlier assumed the UNSC presidency in August 2021.
- Under India’s December presidency of UNSC, there are two signature events at the ministerial level, scheduled for December 14 (Reformed Multilateralism) and 15 (Counter-Terrorism). External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will chair the events.
- India will hold a “high-level open debate” on “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism” at the Security Council.
Events ahead under India’s Presidency:
- New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism (NORMS):
- It envisages reforms in the current multilateral architecture, with the UN at its centre, to make it more representative and fit for purpose.
- NORMS, where open debate is intended to encourage UN member-states to take this conversation forward by deliberating on the elements of a new orientation for multilateralism and on how best to move forward in this regard in a time-bound manner
- Counter-Terrorism:
- The other signature event planned is the high-level briefing on the theme “Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts: Global Approach to Counter Terrorism — Challenges and Way Forward.”
- Global South:
- There will also be at least two meetings in Ukraine. During its 8th term as an elected member of the UNSC, India has endeavoured to voice the critical concerns of the Global South.
- The “Five S” approach has guided India’s priority issues.
- Samman (Respect)
- Samvad (Dialogue)
- Sahyog (Cooperation)
- Shanti (Peace)
- Samriddhi (Prosperity)
United Nation Security Council:
- About:
- The UN Charter established the Security Council in 1945. It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
- Its primary responsibility is to work to maintain international peace and security.
- The council is headquartered in New York.
- Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorisation of military action through Security Council resolutions.
- It is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.
- Member states:
- The UNSC is composed of 15 members: 5 permanent and ten non-permanent.
- Five permanent members: China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
- Ten non-permanent members: Elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
- Five from African and Asian States,
- One from Eastern European States,
- Two from the Latin American States,
- Two from Western European and other States.
- Voting Powers in UNSC:
- Each member of the Security Council has one vote. Decisions of the Security Council on matters are made by an affirmative vote of nine members, including the concurring votes of the permanent members.
- Five permanent members have veto power, so a “No” vote from one of the five permanent members blocks the resolution’s passage.
India and UNSC:
India has been a non-permanent member of the United Nations security council for eight terms, the most recent being the 2021-22 term. India is also a member of G4, a group of nations who back each other in seeking a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and an advocate in favour of the reformation of the UNSC. India is also a part of the G-77.
Conclusion:
- The UN should not merely be an institution but also an instrument for positive change. But the UN as an institution for conflict resolution has not developed as desired, and India, along with other nations, should try to reform the UN structure.
- To protect faith in the principles of the United Nations, in its charter, and in reformed multilateralism as a key to achieving global goals, the core issues in UNSC must be critically examined and addressed with global cooperation.
Pic Courtesy: The Indian Express
Content Source: The Indian Express