G-4 Foreign Ministers Passed Resolution on Need for UNSC Reforms

External Affairs Ministers of G-4 nations (Brazil, Germany, Japan and India) passed resolution on need for United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms on 26 September 2013 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

The ministers stressed for the need for UNSC reforms to make it more representative, efficient and transparent. These reforms enable the UNSC to deal international challenges more efficiently.

The Ministers also stressed the need to intensify efforts to translate the existing agreement into concrete outcomes by 2015.

About Group 4(G-4) nations

The Group 4 or G-4 nations is group of 4 contries.G-4 includes Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan. These countries formed group to demand permanent seats in United Nations Security Council.

About United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

• Under the Unite Nations Charter, United Nations Security Council primary responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security.
• The council is composed of 15 members. Among 15 members five are permanent and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
• Five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States
• The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression.
• It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement.
• In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.

Comment

The developing countries are stressing upon the necessity of expansion of United Nations Security Council. It is being felt that the contributions made by countries towards the maintenance of international peace and security need to be fully recognised. There should be increased representation of developing countries in order to better reflect today's geo-political realities.
India has been asking for the permanent membership of United Nations Security Council since long back to enable it to assume more responsibilities in international affairs. The prominent developed nations of the world have also supported India's claim.