UN Secy Gen’s Blunt Assessment of Security Council

March 24, 2026

During the Second World War, when the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Germany was subsequently compelled to surrender. In the wake of these nuclear attacks, the destinies of the future generations inhabiting these cities were irrevocably altered, shifting from fortune to misfortune. It appears that those dark days have returned.

Whether the conflict lies between Russia and Ukraine, or in West Asia involving Iran versus the US and Israel, threats of deploying nuclear weapons—threats, in other words, of the annihilation of humanity—are being issued in every instance. UN Chief António Guterres has openly acknowledged the failure of the United Nations and its subsidiary body, the Security Council, to effectively fulfill their mandates. He asserts that there are fundamental flaws within the structure of the Security Council. He maintains that the Council, as currently constituted, does not accurately represent the contemporary world.

The exercise of the veto power by the permanent members is proving utterly ineffective in preventing or resolving conflicts. Guterres made these remarks in Beirut. He stated that it must be accepted that, in its current form, the Security Council does not reflect the global reality of the present day. Within this 15-member Council, there are five permanent nations endowed with veto power: three from Europe, one from Asia, and one from the Americas.

In recent times—bolstered by India’s rising global stature and enhanced international image—a demand was raised by numerous key nations that India, too, should be inducted as a member of the Security Council and granted veto power. However, due to China’s persistent opposition, India has been unable to attain this status. Another demand that has emerged is that if the veto power is to be exercised in a biased and partisan manner, then the veto power itself should be abolished