L 69, G4 & C 10 seek urgent UNSC Reforms

The Group of Four (G4) countries — India, Brazil, Germany and Japan called for the reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC).

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• Other plurilateral groupings, such as the L69 and C-10 also voiced their support in favour of UNSC reforms.
• Both the L69 and the G4 reaffirmed their strong support to the Common African Position (CAP) based on the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.

About UNSC

• The United Nation Security Council is a principal crisis-management body.
• It is empowered to impose binding obligations on the 193 UN member states to maintain peace.
• It has 15 members with 5 permanent members and 10 non- permanent members rotated among other UN members.
• Permanent Members are collectively called P5 comprising  China, France, Russia, UK and USA
• Exclusive powers of P5:
  • Veto Power: They Can block any UNSC resolution, even if all other members support it.
  • Initiate Discussions: Can call for UNSC meetings.
  • Place Items on Agenda: Can add topics to the UNSC’s agenda.
• Non-Permanent Members: they are  Elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms from remaining UN members.
• Voting Rights: They have equal voting rights with permanent members.
• No Veto Power: They can not block a UN resolution by their single vote against the resolution.
• Limited Influence: Have less influence than permanent members.

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Need of UN Reform

• Outdated Structure: The P5 structure reflects a post-WWII scenario which does not reflect the current global scenario.
• Lack of Representation: Many regions, such as Asia , Africa and Latin America, are underrepresented in the UN’s decision-making processes calling for reforms.
• Inefficiency: Bureaucratic red-tapism and duplication of efforts among specialised UN agencies slow down the organisation’s ability to address global challenges.
• Ineffectiveness: Recent failure of UNSC to achieve Intergovernmental Negotiations.
• Financial Stability: Dependence on voluntary funding and lack of diversity in source has been highlighted during the recent crisis.

G4 (Group of Four resolution)

• G4 members: Japan, Brazil, Germany and India.
  • All are aspiring to become permanent members of the UNSC.
• Group has proposed: Council’s membership shall be increased from 15 to 25, by adding six permanent and four non-permanent members.
• G-4 nations traditionally meet on sidelines of the annual high-level UN General Assembly session

G4 Countries v/s UFC (Coffee Club)

• Uniting for Consensus (UfC) : It emerged in the 1990s as a movement opposing the expansion of permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council.
  • Counters the bids for permanent seats proposed by G4 Countries.
• Members: Most members are middle-sized states who opposed bigger regional powers grabbing permanent seats in the UN Security Council.
  • Prime movers of the club  are Italy, Spain, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Argentina and Pakistan.
• Regional Rivalry: Consists of nations that are selectively opposed to the G4 Countries due to regional rivalry such as Pakistan against India, Italy against Germany, Argentina and Mexico against Brazil, etc.

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L69

• Members: It consists of 42 developing nations (including India) from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific (Small Island Developing States).
• Demand: For expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of UNSC to better reflect contemporary world realities, and achieve a more accountable, representative, transparent and relevant Security Council.
• Nomenclature: Based on  the draft document number “L.69”, tabled in 2007-08, which led to the initiation of the Intergovernmental Negotiation (IGN) process

C10 & “The Ezulwini Consensus”

• Common position of the African Union (AU) on Security Council reform known as  Ezulwini Consensus 
• It is based on the communiqué it adopted in Addis Ababa in March 2005
• The consensus calls for Africa to have at least two permanent seats with veto power on the UNSC
• AU’s Committee of Ten (C-10) : A group of ten African states that advocates internationally for the Ezulwini Consensus
  • Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Libya, Namibia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia

Sirte Declaration and AU

• The Sirte Declaration was a resolution adopted by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1999 at the fourth Extraordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of African Heads of State and Government, held in Sirte, Libya. 
• It focused on issues of peace and security on the African continent. 
• The Sirte Declaration led to the establishment of the African Union (AU) which was launched at the Durban Summit in 2002.

India’s Candidature as a Permanent Member of the UNSC

• World’s Largest Democracy: India is the world’s most populous democracy, with a robust political system that reflects democratic values. 
• Global Influence:India plays a crucial role in global governance, contributing significantly to peacekeeping, climate action, and sustainable development goals (SDGs). 
• Economic Power: India is the fifth largest economy in the world and  have great influence in the economic activities around the globe
• Peacekeeping Contributions: India has been one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, demonstrating its commitment to global peace and stability.s.
• Commitment to Multilateralism:India has consistently supported a rules-based international order, advocating for reforms to enhance the efficiency and inclusivity of multilateral institutions like the UN.
• Geopolitical Importance:India’s strategic location in South Asia and its role in maintaining regional stability, particularly in counterterrorism and maritime security, are vital for global peace and security.
• Voice of the global South: As seen in recent global meets India has raised a collective voice for the underrepresented global south  on different issues.
• Support from Key UNSC Members: The US, Russia, France, and the UK have supported India’s candidature for permanent membership, acknowledging its pivotal role in global security.
• Representation for the Global South: India’s inclusion would provide better representation for developing countries, especially in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as it advocates for their interests in global governance.

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Challenges

• Opposition from China: China remains a significant obstacle, consistently opposing India’s inclusion.
• Veto Power Concerns: Some member states are apprehensive about granting India veto power, fearing it could affect the balance of power and decision-making processes within the UNSC.
• Competition from Other Aspirants:Countries like Brazil, Germany, and Japan also seek permanent membership, which complicates the reform process and dilutes India’s chances.

India’s pursuit of a permanent seat is supported by many factors, but it faces significant geopolitical and procedural challenges, particularly from China and concerns around veto power.

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