India has presented the ‘G4 model’ for Security Council reforms on behalf of Brazil, Germany, Japan and India for debate, dialogue and finally negotiations.
The model was proposed at the Inter-governmental Negotiations on Security Council reform (IGN) on March 7.
G4 model salient features
- The G4 model proposes that the Security Council’s membership increase from the current 15 to 25-26, by adding six permanent and four or five non-permanent members.
- Among the six new permanent members, two each are proposed to be from African states and Asia Pacific states, one from Latin American and Caribbean states; and one from Western European and Other states.
- The G4 model does not specify which member states will occupy the new permanent seats.
- This decision will be made by the General Assembly in a democratic and inclusive election.
- While the new permanent members would, as a principle, have the same responsibilities and obligations as current permanent members, they shall not exercise the veto until a decision on the matter has been taken during a review.
Reforms needed
- The world has undergone a sea change since 1945 and the new realities need to be reflected in the permanent membership.
- The current composition of the Security Council is under-representation and un-representation of key regions in both categories of membership.
- Any proposal that does not address the issue of representation of the Global South, including Africa, Asia and Latin America, in the permanent category does a grave injustice to the aspirations of developing countries for equality.
- The Council’s inability to address critical conflicts and maintain international peace and security underscores the urgent need for reform.
- Currently, only the five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S. — hold veto powers and through its use have stalled action in the Council to address global challenges and conflicts such as in Ukraine and Gaza.
