United Kingdom (Commonwealth Union)_ As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, along with China, France, Russia, and the United States, as well as 10 non-permanent members elected by the UN general assembly for two-year terms, the UK government has voiced its support for a more influential voice for the Global South at the highest level of global governance. UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly emphasized the importance of expanding the UN Security Council, as he believed that the world’s poorest countries feel unheard, even on issues directly affecting them. He also called for a review of the veto power exercised by the Council’s five permanent members, as he believed that wealthy nations were hoarding power and neglecting their responsibilities.
Accordingly, James Cleverly has made a major announcement, expressing his support for an expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and reiterating his call for reform within the United Nations. According to him, this call stands as one of the country’s primary transnational priorities, and he also endorsed India’s bid for permanent membership in the influential Security Council. India has long been at the forefront of the campaign for UN Security Council reform, arguing that it rightfully deserves a permanent position in the United Nations as a member nation.
Further, James Cleverly also endorsed the idea of an expanded UNSC, which would include a permanent seat for Africa, reflecting the present and future dynamics of the world. He also stated that they aim to see permanent African representation and further extend membership to India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan. He said, “We want to see permanent African representation and membership extended to India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan”. Cleverly presented this proposition at the Chatham House foreign affairs think-tank in London, acknowledging its bold nature while expressing confidence that it would bring the Security Council into the 2020s.
At present, the UNSC consists of five permanent members, China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US, each possessing the power to veto any substantial resolution. During the conference held at the Chatham House think tank in London, James Cleverly delivered a speech advocating for a revitalized multilateral system that is more responsive to the contemporary world. He also highlighted the shift of the world’s economic center of gravity from the Euro-Atlantic region to the Indo-Pacific; hence, he proposed that multilateral institutions have to adapt accordingly.
Further, Cleverly outlined five transnational priorities, with the first being the reform of the United Nations Security Council. He expressed the desire to see permanent African representation in the Council and advocated for extending membership to India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan. He acknowledged the bold nature of such reforms but argued that they are necessary to bring the Security Council up to date. Cleverly also emphasized the importance of reforming international financial institutions, particularly in relation to climate finance and poverty reduction. He said, “I know this is a bold reform. But it will usher the Security Council into the 2020s. And the UNSC has grown before, albeit not since 1965. My second priority is reforming international financial institutions. This matters for climate finance and, of course, for poverty reduction”.
Additionally, he commended India’s leadership role as the current president of the G20 in advocating for the representation of poorer nations on the global stage. He believed it was essential to ensure the voices of the poorest and most vulnerable countries were heard within the multilateral system, endorsing permanent G20 membership for the African Union and applauding India’s efforts in this regard. He said, “It seems obvious to me that the voice of the poorest and most vulnerable countries must be heard at the heart of the multilateral system. That’s why we support permanent membership of the G20 for the African Union and welcome India’s leadership in taking this forward”. In addition to these priorities, Cleverly emphasized the need to simplify and expedite financial access and maximize the impact of investments. He stressed that the World Trade Organization (WTO) requires new rules that reflect the realities of the digital economy and ensure trade policies are fair, open, and free from manipulation or distortion.
In concluding his speech, Cleverly highlighted the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing in transforming humankind’s problem-solving capabilities. He also revealed his upcoming role as the chair of the UN Security Council’s first-ever meeting on this issue, which will be held in New York the following month. Additionally, he mentioned that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would host an AI summit in the autumn. He said, “I will chair the UN Security Council’s first-ever meeting on this issue, in New York next month. And the Prime Minister [Rishi Sunak] will host an AI summit this autumn”.
