NAM Calls for More Roles in UNSC
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) proposed that more countries, including developing ones, should be granted membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as part of a necessary change in the body’s structure.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif made the proposal in an address to the UN, speaking on behalf of the NAM, whose rotating presidency is assumed by Iran.
He made the comments at a meeting held to mark the 70th anniversary of foundation of the UN in New York on Thursday.
Zarif also called for efforts to democratize the UNSC and make reforms of the UN body.
He stressed that the Security Council’s structure needs to be expanded, so that the developing countries could also participate in its process of decision-making.
“In cases where the Security Council does not fulfill its main responsibility to protect and safeguard international peace and security, this (job) should be taken over by the General Assembly to adopt the necessary measures to deal with the aforementioned challenges in line with the United Nations Charter,” the top Iranian diplomat noted.
As regards the shortcomings of the UNSC, Zarif pointed to the use of sanctions as a leverage before even trying to apply peaceful means to settle the disputes.
The Security Council is one of the six main organs established under the UN Charter. It is composed of 15 members, including five permanent ones, namely the US, China, France, Russia and Britain.
Back in 1961, NAM was founded by a number of developing countries that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. Its members represent nearly two-thirds of the United Nations members and hold 55 percent of the world population.
