The process of decolonisation, in which the United Nation and its Security Council played an important role, radically changed the geopolitical landscape of the world. In the past quarter century, the global order has seen massive changes, from American unilateralism to the rise of multilateral institutions and multipolarity.

Developing nations, including India, now play a larger role in both the international economy and politics. But these changes are not reflected in the UNSC, where all critical decisions are still being taken by the veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council.

In his address to the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Indian External Affairs Minister highlighted the anachrony and ineffectiveness in the current architecture of the UNSC.

Hence, it is essential to go beyond P5''s prerogatives and look for a more democratic and representative security council.

Need to reform UNSC

1. Lack of Adequate Representation: It was argued by several speakers that the UN Security Council is less effective because it is less representative, the most pertinent absence being that of Africa, a continent of 54 countries. Current global issues are complex, and interconnected. Lack of representation of geopolitical and geo-economically important countries is leaving out a large segment of global opinion to have a voice in the highest security summit. Furthermore, It is matter of concern that globally important countries such as India, Germany, Brazil, and South Africa are not represented on the UNSC permanent members list.
2. Misuse of Veto Power: Veto power has been always criticised by many experts as well as by most States calling it a ”self-chosen club of the privileged” and non-democratic and not allowing the Council to make necessary decisions whenever it displeases any one of the P-5. It is also not appropriate for the current global security environment to be guided by elite decision-making structures.
3. Geopolitical Rivalry within P5: The geopolitical rivalry among the permanent members has prevented the UNSC from coming up with effective mechanisms to deal with global issues. Taking the current world order as an example, the P5 members: United States, Russia, and China are three poles on the periphery of the globe having several geopolitical issues revolving around them (Taiwan Issue and Russia-Ukraine War).
4. Threat to State’s Sovereignty: As the principal organ of international peacekeeping and conflict resolution, the UNSC is responsible for keeping peace and managing conflict. Its decisions (referred to as resolutions) are binding on all member countries, unlike the General Assembly''s. This means that any state''s sovereignty can be encroached upon if necessary by taking action, such as imposing sanctions.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said

1. The UN Security Council reflects the power relations of 1945 and there is a growing need to redistribute power with the realities of contemporary times, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, as he asserted that it was "time to reform" the global body.
2. Guterres, while speaking to reporters in Hiroshima at the G7 meeting, said the crushing economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, Russia''s invasion of Ukraine, unsustainable levels of debt, rising interest rates and spiralling inflation are devastating developing and emerging economies.
3. He stressed that among the reasons for problems being faced by developing countries are power-related dimensions." The Bretton Woods system and the Security Council reflect the power relations of 1945. And many things have changed since then. The global financial architecture became outdated, dysfunctional and unfair," Guterres said.
4. Bretton Woods is an international monetary system that was forged by delegates from 44 nations in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, in July 1944 as the Second World War raged in Europe and the Pacific.