Germany Calls for Sweeping UN Reforms
NEW YORK — Germany has called for sweeping reforms at the United Nations, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul telling the General Assembly, “Above all, we need a proactive UN that plays an active role in resolving conflicts, rather than merely managing them.”Wadephul said the UN needs a new secretary-general to lead a deep process of…
NEW YORK — Germany has called for sweeping reforms at the United Nations, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul telling the General Assembly, “Above all, we need a proactive UN that plays an active role in resolving conflicts, rather than merely managing them.”
Wadephul said the UN needs a new secretary-general to lead a deep process of reform, noting that current Secretary-General António Guterres will step down later this year. He warned that the Security Council, as the UN’s central decision-making body, remains paralyzed, and said its reform must stay high on the agenda.
The Security Council consists of 15 of the UN’s 193 member states, with the US, China, Russia, Britain and France holding permanent seats and veto power. Germany, Brazil, India and Japan — the so-called “Group of Four” — said in a joint statement that the Council’s eight-decade-old structure is hindering its ability to address current and future challenges, and that such reforms are more urgent than ever given the increasingly challenging geopolitical environment.
