Germany calls for profound UN reforms — Anadolu Agency

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called for profound reforms of the United Nations on September 26 at the UN General Assembly in New York, United States. According to him, the new UN secretary-general must lead this process. The current secretary-general, António Guterres, is to leave office at the end of the year.

Strengthening the UN’s role

Wadephul said that states need to narrow the gap between expectations of the UN and the capabilities they grant to the organization. He stressed that the UN must play an active role in resolving conflicts, rather than merely managing them. This was reported by Anadolu Agency.

The German foreign minister also stated that the UN Security Council, as the central decision-making body, is paralyzed and warned about the erosion of international law. According to him, Security Council reform must remain among the priorities.

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Statement by the G4 countries

The UN Security Council consists of 15 members. Five permanent members — the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom and France — have veto power, while ten other states are elected for two-year terms.

Germany, Brazil, India and Japan said in a joint statement that Security Council reform is particularly important amid an increasingly complex geopolitical situation. The foreign ministers of the G4 countries said that the Security Council in its current form cannot fulfill its central mission. In their view, the body’s representativeness, legitimacy and ability to act are in question, including because of its architecture, formed around eight decades ago.

The G4 countries also believe that the current composition of the Security Council hinders an appropriate response to present and future challenges.