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The Secretary of Economic Relations at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Dammu Ravi, has called for a reform in the United Nations Security Council.
Ravi also emphasised the urgent need to update the global governance structure to reflect current realities.
Ravi spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday. The briefing was on the heels of the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s visit to Nigeria.
Ravi noted that the existing structure, established in 1945, no longer meets the needs of the modern world and that significant changes are required.
Ravi highlighted the shared stance of India and Nigeria in advocating for a more inclusive Security Council, pointing out that both nations represent the interests of the Global South, which remains underrepresented in international decision-making.
The secretary said, “The world has changed significantly since the establishment of the UN, but the Security Council’s structure has not evolved accordingly.
“Nigeria and India are on the same page on the need for reform. We have to keep working on that in different forums to sensitise the countries on the need for our positions.”
The call for reform came as part of a broader effort by developing nations to secure a greater voice in global governance.
Ravi underscored the importance of unity among countries in the Global South, including major players like India and Nigeria, to advocate effectively for changes in the UNSC’s composition.
The UNSC currently has 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power: the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France.
However, despite having 54 member states in the UN, Africa lacks permanent representation.
The US recently proposed expanding the council to include two permanent seats for African countries, with Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt emerging as leading contenders due to their economic and political influence.
According to Ravi, the key to successful reform lies in collective action.
He noted that countries from the Global South, which have experienced significant political and economic growth over the past few decades, should have a more substantial role in international decision-making.
He said, “We need to build this understanding that there is a need for UN reform, and that is fundamental. The reform is necessary, and it has to be done quickly.”
Addressing the question of African representation, Ravi acknowledged that Africa has its consensus on the need for reform.
However, he pointed out the complexity of aligning the positions of various African nations with those of other countries advocating for change, such as India.
Nigeria recently gained the backing of several West African nations in its campaign for a permanent seat on the UNSC.
The endorsement followed a diplomatic tour by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar visited Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, and Guinea Bissau to rally support for the bid.
