The Russia-Ukraine conflict has added to the demand for reforming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Abolition of veto power of the big five nations and increase in number of non-permanent members in the council, are the two major demands raised by various quarters to provide more teeth to the world peace body. Pointing out the ineffectiveness of the present UNSC, it is argued that since the Russian aggression in Ukraine, several resolutions have been adopted condemning Moscow. Its membership in the Human Rights Council has been suspended too. But all these efforts have failed to produce desired results as nothing has deterred Russia from targeting Ukraine. This is why pro-changers are demanding an organisation in which majority opinion will prevail by making it mandatory for even the big powers to strictly adhere to its decisions. The Ukrainian President Victor Zelensky too is strongly in favour of such an arrangement. It is further being argued that with the present set up, the UN is doing well in all fields apart from preventing and solving conflicts. There are many instances of such unresolved conflicts including Syria, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Ukraine, etc. Another important factor which strongly supports change is the fact that the number of member states have almost quadrupled since the UN's foundation in 1945. It may be noted that UN started its journey with only 51 members and the number of non-permanent members in UNSC has been increased only once in 1965.
Thus, a total revamp of UNSC is the need of the hour. The claims of India, Japan, Germany, Brazil and Nigeria and a few other countries should not be overlooked any more. These countries should be given permanent membership of UNSC to make the body more representative and effective. It is a fact that notwithstanding the resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) regarding increase in the membership of the Security Council, nothing has been changed for the last 30 years as it is yet to decide on the formation of revamped UNSC. While there is a proposal to include six more permanent members, another proposal is advocating for a longer serving renewable membership in UNSC. It is being argued that these proposals will only remain on paper as any change in the present UNSC set up will invariably mean diluting the power of five nations having veto power, which the countries have been enjoying for an extended period of time. But it is time to realise that such power prevents the UNSC from functioning according to principles of the UN charter which promises peace and security. History shows that the power has often been misused as China and Russia vetoed efforts to stop atrocities in Syria, while the US vetoed a move to save innocent lives in Gaza. There are many other instances where nations having veto power scuttled the move to settle a conflict. The practice must end now for the sake of peace and security of the world.