TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
THE CONTEXT: Pakistan, Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Somalia are poised to secure seats on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) following a secret ballot by the General Assembly.
EXPLANATION:
- The election, involving all 193 member states, will fill five non-permanent seats for two-year terms starting January 1, 2025.
Election Process
- The General Assembly is scheduled to vote to elect five countries to serve on the UNSC.
- The 15-member council comprises five permanent members with veto power—United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, and France—and ten non-permanent members serving staggered two-year terms.
- The non-permanent seats are distributed among regional groups, which usually nominate their candidates.
- This year, the regional groups have agreed on their candidates without contention.
Regional Group Nominees
- Africa: Somalia
- Asia-Pacific: Pakistan
- Latin America and Caribbean: Panama
- Western Group: Denmark and Greece
- These countries are set to replace Mozambique, Japan, Ecuador, Malta, and Switzerland, whose terms end on December 31, 2024.
Background of Newly Elected Members
- All five countries expected to join the UNSC have prior experience serving on the council:
- Pakistan: Seven terms
- Panama: Five terms
- Denmark: Four terms
- Greece: Two terms
- Somalia: One term
- Current Members
- The new members will join the existing non-permanent members elected last year:
- Algeria
- Guyana
- South Korea
- Sierra Leone
- Slovenia
- There is a widespread consensus that the UNSC needs to expand to better reflect contemporary global realities, as its current structure is rooted in the post-World War II era.
- However, the exact nature of the reform remains a contentious issue, preventing significant changes for the past four decades.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the principal organs of the United Nations (UN), established to maintain international peace and security. It plays a critical role in addressing global conflicts, crises, and threats to international peace.
- Composition: The UNSC is composed of 15 member states, with five permanent members (P5) and ten non-permanent members. The P5, (United States, Russia, China, France & UK) also known as the “Great Powers,” have veto power, which allows them to block any substantive resolution, making their decisions particularly influential.
- Membership Rotation: Non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms, with five seats opening up each year. This rotation ensures that different regions of the world are represented over time.
Criteria for Membership: To become a member of the UNSC, a country must meet the following criteria:
- UN Membership: A nation must first be a member of the United Nations to be eligible for UNSC membership.
- Election: Non-permanent members are elected by the UN General Assembly through a two-thirds majority vote. The geographical distribution of seats is a key consideration, ensuring fair representation across regions.
- Rotation: Members serve two-year terms and can be re-elected, but there is a limit on consecutive terms. This rotation helps maintain diversity and a balance of interests.
Mandate and Functions: The UNSC’s mandate and functions are outlined in Chapter VI and Chapter VII of the UN Charter:
- Maintenance of International Peace and Security: The primary mandate of the UNSC is to address threats to international peace and security. It does so through various means, including conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and the authorization of the use of force when necessary.
- Conflict Resolution: The UNSC actively seeks to resolve international conflicts through diplomatic means, negotiation, and the promotion of peaceful settlements.
- Peacekeeping: It authorizes and oversees UN peacekeeping missions, which involve the deployment of military and civilian personnel to regions experiencing conflict to help maintain or restore peace.
- Imposition of Sanctions: The UNSC can impose economic and diplomatic sanctions against states that threaten international peace and security. These measures are intended to pressure nations into compliance with international norms.
- Authorization of Use of Force: In cases of imminent threats to international peace, the UNSC can authorize the use of force, which may include military intervention, to restore or maintain peace. This is a controversial but necessary function to respond to some crises.
- Supervision of Armistices and Agreements: The UNSC monitors and supervises armistices and agreements to ensure compliance by the parties involved.
- Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Action: The UNSC plays a role in protecting civilians in conflict zones and promoting humanitarian assistance.
- Recommendations on General Principles of Cooperation: The UNSC can make recommendations on principles of cooperation and the peaceful settlement of international disputes.