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The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres. Photo/REUTERS
However, he warned that some of the West’s suggestions to limit the veto power of its members, aimed at Russia, risk failing.
Speaking at his latest press conference in 2022 on Monday (12/19/2022), Guterres said that while membership in the Security Council could be expanded, none of the five permanent members of the body, namely the United States (US ), Great Britain, China, France and Russia risk losing their veto.
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Any plans to change this right can be blocked by any of these countries, using the same veto power.
The United Nations Security Council is made up of 15 members, ten of whom hold office for two years and cannot veto resolutions.
Formed in 1945, the United Nations Security Council can impose sanctions, authorize military action and refer cases to the International Criminal Court, but only with the unanimous consent of the five permanent members.
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Russia has advocated for a more diverse UN Security Council for years, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last year advocating giving developing countries more seats to break the West’s disproportionate grip.
Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, repeated this argument last week, telling the council that “democratization can only be achieved through increased representation of African, Asian and Latin American countries.”
