French President Emmanuel Macron has voiced strong support for India’s bid for permanent membership in an expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“We have a Security Council that is blocked…Let’s make the UN more efficient and more representative,” Macron stated on Wednesday.
He advocated for the inclusion of Germany, Japan, India, Brazil, and two African nations to become permanent members of the UNSC. This support follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent emphasis on the need for institutional reforms to achieve global peace and development at the ‘Summit of the Future.’
India has long pushed for reform of the UNSC, arguing that the current 15-nation council, established in 1945, fails to reflect the geopolitical realities of the 21st century. Currently, the UNSC comprises five permanent members—Russia, the UK, China, France, and the United States—alongside 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly.
Macron also called for reforms in the UNSC’s working methods, suggesting a limitation on the right of veto in cases of mass crimes and an increased focus on operational decisions vital for maintaining peace. “The time has come to regain efficiency in order to act better on the ground,” he asserted.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed these sentiments, describing the UNSC as “outdated” and warning that its authority is eroding. He urged for reforms, stating, “We can’t build a future for our grandchildren with a system built for our grandparents.”
