Connect with us

Diplomacy

Singapore calls for reform of UN Security Council, pushes for limits on veto powers

On 25 September, Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, urged the reform of the United Nations Security Council, calling for constraints on the veto powers of its five permanent members. Speaking during a UN Security Council debate, he emphasised the need for changes to strengthen global peace efforts, citing the rising misuse of vetoes.

Published

16 hours ago

on

SINGAPORE: On 25 September, Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, called for substantial reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), focusing on constraining the veto powers exercised by the five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Speaking during an open debate at the Security Council, he emphasised the need for the UN to adapt to the increasingly dangerous global landscape, where multiple crises are putting civilian lives at risk.

Dr Balakrishnan highlighted that the UN is at a critical juncture.

“The United Nations is at an inflection point. We need to reform multilateral and UN institutions to address both current and future challenges, including reform of this very Security Council,” he stated.

His remarks come as part of his participation in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, held in New York from 19 September to 28 September.

During his address, Dr Balakrishnan called on the Security Council to reconsider how the veto is exercised.

He noted that the increasing use of vetoes by the permanent members has paralyzed decision-making within the council, undermining its ability to maintain international peace and security.

He stressed, “All permanent members should focus on the broader goal of delivering international peace and security. However, the trend of the increasing exercise of the vetoes suggests we cannot leave this to the permanent five to voluntarily change their behaviour.”

The Security Council consists of 15 members, including 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.

The current non-permanent members include Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

Dr Balakrishnan emphasized the importance of strengthening the role of these elected members, particularly in bridging gaps when the permanent five are entrenched in mutual distrust.

He argued that these members should have a greater say in key decision-making processes.

Dr Balakrishnan also called for a closer collaboration between the Security Council and other UN bodies to improve conflict prevention efforts.

He referred to Article 99 of the UN Charter, which allows the Secretary-General to bring attention to threats to international peace.

He noted the importance of the council responding swiftly when this article is invoked, particularly in cases of humanitarian crises and mass atrocities.

“Article 99 of the UN Charter is in fact a powerful preventive diplomacy tool,” Dr Balakrishnan said, referencing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ December 2023 appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza under Article 99.

It was the first time Guterres had invoked the article since taking office in 2017.

Singapore’s push for veto reform aligns with broader international efforts to address the limitations of the current UNSC structure.

In March 2024, Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Burhan Gafoor, expressed concern over the council’s declining effectiveness.

He cited the increase in vetoes since the adoption of a resolution in April 2022 aimed at limiting their use.

“Since the veto initiative resolution was adopted in April 2022, we have seen 12 vetoes,” Gafoor noted at the time.

Additionally, Singapore supports a French-Mexican initiative that seeks to limit the use of vetoes in situations involving mass atrocities.

This initiative proposes that permanent members abstain from voting in such cases, especially if they are directly involved in the conflict.

This stance was echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who also addressed the General Assembly on 25 September 2024, calling for reforms to veto power in cases of mass killings.

“Reform of the composition alone of the Security Council is not sufficient to make it more effective. ”

“I also wish for reform to change the operational methods to limit the right to a veto in case of mass crimes,” Macron stated, in what appeared to be a reference to Russia’s use of vetoes in conflicts like the Gaza war.

Dr Balakrishnan’s statements, alongside those of other world leaders, reflect growing frustration over the limitations of the UNSC, particularly when permanent members use veto power to block resolutions that could mitigate humanitarian disasters or end conflicts.

This issue was brought into sharp focus last year when the US vetoed a resolution calling for humanitarian pauses in the Israel-Palestinian conflict and blocked a bid for full UN membership for the Palestinian Authority.

Similarly, in March 2024, Russia and China vetoed a US-led resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
24 Comments
Subscribe
Notify of
24 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

China

Tragic stabbing of Japanese boy in Shenzhen sparks concerns over Sino-Japanese relations

A 10-year-old Japanese boy died after being stabbed in Shenzhen on 18 September, raising fears about strained Sino-Japanese relations. The attacker, a 44-year-old man, was apprehended. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the act, urging Beijing for swift information. This incident follows previous attacks on Japanese nationals, heightening concerns for their safety in China.

Published

7 days ago

on

20 September 2024

By

CHINA: A 10-year-old boy, a dual citizen of Japan and China, succumbed to injuries after being stabbed while on his way to school in Shenzhen on Wednesday (18 September) morning.

The incident has raised alarms within the Japanese community in China and could further strain already tense Sino-Japanese relations.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the boy was attacked in the abdomen near a Japanese school and was transported to a hospital for emergency treatment.

Despite efforts to save him, he died of his wounds early Thursday.

The assailant, a 44-year-old man, was arrested by police near the scene.

The motivations behind the attack remain unclear, and it is uncertain whether the boy was specifically targeted due to his nationality.

A local Japanese businessman expressed concerns for the safety of the community, advising vigilance and caution when speaking Japanese in public spaces.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the stabbing as an “extremely despicable crime” and called for prompt information sharing from Beijing regarding the investigation.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry, represented by spokesman Lin Jian, expressed condolences and emphasized the commitment to protecting foreign nationals in China.

Lin noted that such incidents could occur in any country and downplayed the potential impact on bilateral exchanges.

Eyewitness accounts described the chaotic scene, with the boy receiving immediate medical attention from passersby.

His mother was present during the attack.

This incident follows a similar knife attack in Suzhou in June, which left a Japanese mother and child injured.

In response to both attacks, Japanese officials have reiterated their demand for enhanced safety measures for their nationals in China.

Wednesday also marked the 93rd anniversary of a significant historical event—Japan’s bombing of a railroad track near Shenyang, which contributed to the Manchurian Incident and subsequent occupation of northeastern China during World War II.

In light of this, Japan had previously requested the Chinese government to bolster security at Japanese schools.

In mourning, Japan’s Ambassador to China, Kenji Kanasugi, ordered the national flag at the embassy to be flown at half-staff and planned to visit Shenzhen to meet the victim’s family.

The Japanese consulate in Guangzhou reported that local government officials had also extended their condolences.

Community responses in Shenzhen reflected a mix of shock and sorrow, with residents leaving flowers at the entrance of the Japanese school.

One local expressed shame over the incident as a Chinese national, while another voiced concern over the implications for Sino-Japanese relations.

As diplomatic tensions have already been heightened by issues such as espionage allegations against Japanese nationals and trade disputes, including a ban on Japanese seafood following the Fukushima disaster, this tragic event may exacerbate existing challenges.

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China has urged both governments to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and seek clarity on the incident.

The investigation into the stabbing continues, with officials pledging to hold the perpetrator accountable under Chinese law.

Continue Reading

Diplomacy

India PM Narendra Modi meets with PM Lawrence Wong; Four MoUs signed

India’s PM Modi visited Singapore, signing four MoUs with PM Wong to boost cooperation in digital technology, semiconductors, healthcare, and education. The visit strengthens bilateral ties and elevates their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, enhancing economic and diplomatic relations.

Published

3 weeks ago

on

5 September 2024

By

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Singapore strengthens bilateral ties

SINGAPORE: India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, arrived in Singapore on Wednesday (4 Sept) for an official visit at the invitation of Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Accompanied by Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and other senior officials, PM Modi’s visit marks a significant step in the strengthening of India-Singapore relations, ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of their bilateral strategic partnership, both set to be celebrated in 2025.

On Thursday (5 Sept), PM Modi and PM Wong held talks in Singapore City, resulting in the signing of four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at bolstering cooperation across various sectors.

These agreements signal the elevation of their bilateral ties to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

The agreements were exchanged in the presence of PM Modi and PM Wong at Singapore’s Parliament House, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan representing their respective countries.

The first MoU, signed between Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information and India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, focuses on enhancing cooperation in digital technologies, such as Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), cybersecurity, 5G, and emerging technologies like supercomputing, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence.

It also includes initiatives for upskilling and reskilling workers in the digital domain.

India-Singapore Partnership in Semiconductor Industry

The second MoU, signed between India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, establishes a partnership in the semiconductor sector.

The agreement will facilitate collaboration on semiconductor cluster development and talent nurturing, as well as investments by Singaporean companies in India’s semiconductor industry.

The third MoU, signed between India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Singapore’s Ministry of Health, aims to promote cooperation in health and medicine.

It includes joint efforts in research and innovation, human resource development in healthcare, and support for Indian healthcare professionals in Singapore.

The fourth MoU, signed between India’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Singapore’s Ministry of Education, focuses on educational cooperation and skills development, particularly in technical and vocational education and training.

This agreement complements ongoing initiatives between the two nations in skill development.

Following the discussions, PM Modi expressed his satisfaction with the talks in a post on social media platform X, highlighting the focus on cooperation in areas such as skilling, technology, healthcare, and artificial intelligence.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India also released a statement noting that the two leaders reviewed the progress of India-Singapore bilateral relations and decided to elevate their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a move expected to significantly boost India’s Act East Policy.

PM Modi also congratulated PM Wong on his recent appointment as Singapore’s Prime Minister, expressing confidence in the continued progress of Singapore under the leadership of its fourth-generation leaders.

The MEA further emphasized Singapore’s role as a leading economic partner for India, with investments totaling around US$150 billion in the Indian economy.

The two leaders also reviewed cooperation in defense, security, maritime domain awareness, education, financial technology, new technology domains, science and technology, and knowledge partnership.

They emphasized the importance of strengthening connectivity between the two countries to enhance economic and people-to-people ties.

On 5 September, PM Modi also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and senior ministers.

He will also engage with Singaporean business leaders and hold discussions with key figures in the semiconductor sector.

Continue Reading

Trending