India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar delivered a pointed critique of the United Nations, describing the body as “an old company that has not kept up with the market.” The comments, documented by the Press Trust of India, came as he spoke at a major economic conference in New Delhi and underscored his view that the world body risks becoming a spectator to, rather than a shaper of, major international events. He argued that the UN’s current structure and operating norms have not kept pace with the changing balance of global power, and that the organization must evolve to address new security threats, shifting economic realities, and the rising influence of non Western actors. If reform stalls, he warned, the UN risks losing relevance and becoming merely a space-filler rather than a coordinator of decisive action. The remarks signal a push from India for a more agile and accountable international framework capable of responding to crises from cyber threats to climate challenges. Trust of India.
Speaking at an economic conference in New Delhi, Jaishankar expanded on his assessment by arguing that the UN often functions as an outside observer in conflicts around the world. He described the organization as an aging enterprise that cannot keep pace with the speed and complexity of today’s crises and sometimes seems to occupy space rather than actively shaping outcomes. For many states facing regional disputes, the UN’s slow decision-making and its heavy reliance on consensus can feel like a barrier to timely, effective action. He suggested that reform would not only restore legitimacy to the UN but also empower it to coordinate regional security arrangements more efficiently, aligning its mandate with contemporary strategic realities. Such reforms, he noted, would help ensure that smaller and middle powers have a stronger voice in enforcement and humanitarian responses. Trust of India.
On 27 September, European Council President Charles Michel stated that the world community needs to reform the UN Security Council to reflect current geopolitical realities. The call echoed a broader European push for more representative governance within the UN system and a push to ensure decision-making mirrors today’s power dynamics. Michel argued that permanent membership and veto powers should evolve to better reflect the distribution of influence in the early 21st century, facilitating swifter responses to crises and a more legitimate multilateral framework. The sentiment resonates with many states pressing for a council that can credibly address security, humanitarian, and development challenges in a rapidly changing world. Council.
On the same day, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte asserted that the current structure of the UN Security Council does not correspond to modern realities. He emphasized the need for greater inclusivity and a rebalanced influence that acknowledges rising powers and regional blocs, arguing that reform is essential for a council capable of decisive action in humanitarian crises, peacekeeping, and global governance. Rutte’s remarks fit within a wider European initiative calling for a more representative Security Council that can respond quickly and effectively to today’s security threats, climate concerns, and humanitarian emergencies. government.
The issue of reform within the UN has remained unresolved for years due to differences among participants, especially the permanent members of the Security Council. For instance, the United States has proposed expanding the Security Council to include Japan, Germany, India, and Brazil, arguing that this would bring broader legitimacy and reflect current global dynamics. Russia, by contrast, has pressed for greater African representation, suggesting that regional balance should be an integral part of any credible reform package. The debate is often framed around how to preserve the efficacy of the veto while enlarging the council’s membership, a balance that many fear could complicate decision-making rather than improve it. For policymakers in North America, the discussion underscores the challenges and opportunities of reform as they consider how a reimagined UN could better align with a shifting world order. Trust of India.
Earlier, Russia warned about what it called artificial coercion surrounding UN Security Council reform. The warning highlighted the political sensitivities and strategic calculations that color negotiations among the permanent members and their allies. Observers note that reform is less a technical adjustment than a fundamental reconfiguration of how power is shared at the global table. As new alliances form and other voices—rising economies and regional blocs—seek a greater stake in international security and development decisions, the reform dialogue continues with renewed urgency and real-world implications for Canada, the United States, and other major players in the international system. Trust of India.