The UNSC at a Crossroads: Challenges, Criticisms, and the Push for Reforms

ABSTRACT

The United Nations Security Council, as the primary body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, has faced challenges in recent years due to geopolitical divisions, structural defiencies, and the misuse of veto power by permanent members. Efforts to reform the Security Council have been hindered by procedural hurdles, divergent member state positions, and uncertainties over potential enhancements. Various reform proposals, including increasing non-permanent members and limiting veto powers, have been discussed but face resistance from key stakeholders. The demand for multilateral action, particularly in addressing global security governance and mass atrocities, remains high despite criticisms of the UNSC’s effectiveness. Therefore, alternative multilateral actions have emerged as complements to the UNSC’s functions. The ongoing debate on Security Council underscores the complex dynamics shaping contemporary multilateralism and the challenges in achieving substantive structural changes.

Key words: Democracy, Efficiency, Equity, Informal agreements, Multilateralism, Permanent member states, Reform, Regional organisations, Structural reform, Veto power, Uniting for Consensus, UN Security Council, Working methods reform