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BRICS Foreign Ministers held their annual meeting on the margins of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly on 21 September 2017 [Image: MEA, India]
BRICS nations have stressed on the “need for a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more representative”, said a joint statement.
Britain, France, Russia, China and the US are veto-wielding members of the UNSC.
BRICS members, India, South Africa and Brazil have bid for permanent membership of the UNSC.
The BRICS statement on Thursday said the UNSC must “increase the representation of the developing countries so that it can adequately respond to global challenges”.
“China and Russia reiterate the importance they attach to the status and role of Brazil, India and South Africa in international affairs and support their aspiration to play a greater role in the UN,” the statement added.
The UNSC, which has powers to authorize military action, impose sanctions and set up peacekeeping operations, has 10 rotating members. The US, China, Russia, France and Britain are permanent members which wield a veto.
With more than 80 per cent of issues taken up by the Security Council relating to African affairs and not a single permanent member from Africa, the UN has battled with issues of legitimacy and representativeness.
The 54-nation African continent has a representation of only three non-permanent members without veto power in the UNSC.
TBP
