External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to attend UNSC meetings

Subject: International relations

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will visit New York to participate in two high-level Ministerial meetings at the UN Security Council that will take up reform in the UN Security Council and the global counter-terror campaign on December 14 and 15.

About the news

India will hold a “high-level open debate” on “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism” at the Security Council.
New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism (NORMS) envisages reforms in the current multilateral architecture, with the UN at its centre, to make it more representative and fit for purpose.
The other signature event planned is the high-level briefing on the theme “Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts: Global Approach to Counter Terrorism — Challenges and Way Forward”, scheduled for December 15.
Recently, India assumed the monthly rotating presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on December 1, the second time in its two-year tenure as an elected member of the Council in 2021-22.
India had earlier assumed UNSC presidency in August 2021.
Both these themes have been key priorities for India during its current tenure at the UN Security Council,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press note.

About UNSC

UNSC is considered the nucleus of the UN system.
It is the only body of UN which has teeth to bite. It has a major say in all critical appointment in UN
Chapter VI of the UN charter gives a mandate to UNSC to settle disputes peacefully through mediation and secure a ceasefire through peacekeeping force.
Chapter VII of UN charter give power to UNSC to impose military and economic sanctions

Process of reform

The UNSC reform requires an amendment to the Charter of the United Nations.
In the first stage, the UN General Assembly must approve the reform by a two-thirds majority.
After approval from the UNGeneral Assembly, the amended Charter must then be ratified by at least two-thirds of the member states, including the five permanent Security Council members.
According to Article 108of the Charter all the permanent members of the Security Council must ratify the amendment otherwise it will not be accepted.