'We are trying to reduce the veto power of permanent members,' says Pakistan's UN envoy
- There are five permanent members of the UN Security Council who have veto power.
- Akram says permanent membership has some advantages.
- There is no point in adding new permanent members to the UN Security Council, he says.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Munir Akram has blamed veto-wielding states for the failure of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to establish peace in Ukraine and Gaza.
speaking to Geographic newsAkram said on Monday that there were some advantages and disadvantages of being a permanent member of the UN Security Council, as permanent members could paralyze the Security Council using the power of veto.
“We are trying to reduce the veto power of the permanent members,” the Pakistani envoy said, adding that there was no point in adding new permanent members to the UN Security Council.
Urging more non-permanent elected seats on the council, the Pakistani diplomat said the UN Security Council should be made up of 27 members, with a majority from developing countries.
Five permanent members of the UN Security Council have veto power, including China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. These countries have vetoed resolutions hundreds of times: Russia has used the power 125 times and the United States 82 times.
UN likely to vote on Gaza ceasefire today, US signals veto
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is likely to vote on Tuesday (today) on an Algerian initiative for the 15-member body to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, diplomats said, a move which the United States indicated it would veto.
Algeria presented an initial draft resolution more than two weeks ago. But the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, quickly said the text could jeopardize “delicate negotiations” aimed at mediating a pause in the war.
Algeria requested on Saturday that the council vote on Tuesday, diplomats said. To be adopted, the UN Security Council resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the United States, Britain, France, China or Russia.
“The United States does not support any action on this draft resolution. If it is put to a vote as written, it will not be adopted,” Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement Saturday.
