Michel joins international calls for UN reform, proposes inter-institutional talks

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – European Council President Charles Michel on Thursday (21 September) used his speech in New York to express support for calls to limit veto powers at the UN Security Council under emergency conditions and to broaden the body’s global representation.

The EU is a permanent observer at the UN and one of three non-member-states permitted to speak at the annual gathering.

In New York, Michel argued that the lack of proper global representation at the UN Security Council reflected outdated power structures when some countries were still colonial powers and hampered the body’s ability to act.

“Entire swathes of the world: Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and Asia are under or non-represented. We support the comprehensive, massive reform of the Security Council to amplify the voice of these regions,” he said.

One key proposal in the discussion has been establishing a mechanism combining majority decision-making with a more controlled and flexible use of the veto right.

“For the last 19 months, a permanent member of the Security Council — Russia — without any shame, has been undertaking a war to conquer its neighbouring country,” Michel said.

“It can even abuse his veto rights to prevent sanctions against itself and even use the Security Council to disseminate propaganda, disinformation and lies,” Michel said.

He added: “This United Nations system is today sclerotic and hobbled by hostile forces. We must assume our responsibility,” he said.

Michel’s remarks echoed those of a series of global leaders that have raised the issue of reform of the organisation.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who took the floor at the UN Security Council on Wednesday (20 September), also launched an appeal for its reform in a nod to countries of the Global South he hopes to win over for Kyiv’s peace efforts.

Western UN members had echoed Zelenskyy’s criticism of Russia’s veto powers in the debate and, over the week, have also made remarks in support of reforms.

Albania, which currently holds the rotating presidency, has also been vocal in calls for reform. Permanent Representative Ferit Hoxha called the situation “desperate” and the council is “not in its best moment”.

“Anytime the Security Council is blocked, is taken hostage, is vetoed, and every time when that happens, the Security Council fails those it has committed to help, be it in the Middle East or elsewhere,” said Hoxha.

Although calls for removing veto powers of certain members or substantially altering the composition of the international body are unlikely, the calls are certain to strike a nerve, particularly with developing countries in the Global South that have felt their voice is not being sufficiently heard.

In his speech, Michel also proposed to host an institutional summit with the EU, UN, African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“We will discuss how our organisations can act together to reinforce the multilateral system within the UN framework and other international fora,” he said.

[Edited by Alice Taylor]

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