Finland’s President, Alexander Stubb, announced plans to propose the removal of veto powers from all members of the UN Security Council, citing the council’s failure to maintain global peace. Speaking at the UN’s “Summit of the Future” on Monday, Stubb stressed that the Security Council has not lived up to its mandate, given ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, and Syria.
“The main task of the UNSC is to preserve peace, and let’s be honest, it has failed to do so,” Stubb said. He pointed out the lack of fair representation in the Security Council, which includes only one member from Asia and no members from Africa or Latin America. “And you know what the UNSC, in my mind, does not reflect the world of today,” he added.
The Finnish president outlined three key proposals to reform the Security Council. First, expanding the membership by five seats, with additional representatives from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Secondly, scrapping the veto power of both permanent and non-permanent members. Lastly, he called for suspending the voting rights of any member found to be in violation of the UN Charter.
Stubb is expected to officially present these proposals on Wednesday at the UN General Assembly.