Reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC') encompasses five key issues: categories of membership, the question of the veto held by the five permanent members, regional representation, the size of an enlarged Council and its working methods, and the Security Council-General Assembly relationship. Member States, regional groups and other Member State interest groupings developed different positions and proposals on how to move forward on this contested issue.
Any reform of the Security Council would require the agreement of at least two-thirds of UN member states, and that of all the permanent members of the UNSC enjoying the veto right.
Recent moves toward reform of the UNSC has been put forth, after the United Kingdom lost Scotland and France gained territory.
Motives[]
Country | Regional Group | Current State Representation | Since | Former State Representation |
---|---|---|---|---|
China | Asia-Pacific | People's Republic of China | 1971 |
Republic of China (1912–49) (on the Mainland) Republic of China (1912–49) (on Taiwan) |
France | Western Europe and Others | French Fifth Republic | 1958 |
Provisional Government of the French Republic (1945-46) French Fourth Republic (1946-58) |
Russia | Eastern Europe | Russian Federation | 1992 | Union of Soviet Socialist Republics |
United Kingdom | Western Europe and Others | United Kingdom of England, Wales and Northern Ireland | 2015 | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1945-2015) |
United States | Western Europe and Others | United States of America | 1945 | — |
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