Guterres Backs Global South’s Call For UN Security Council Reform At BRICS Summit

Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, supported the Global South's call for the UN Security Council to be expanded during his speech at the BRICS Summit on Sunday. He said that doing so would “bring balance and equity to global systems and institutions.” He also emphasised that India has been at the forefront of this demand.

Guterres emphasised that “the institutional structures must reflect it” because today's economic, demographic and geopolitical realities differ from those of 1945.

PM Modi calls for Global South to become ‘rule-shaper’

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for the Global South to become a “rule-shaper” rather than a “rule-taker” in international decision-making.

China and Russia have reaffirmed their support for India and Brazil's increased participation in the UN in the New Delhi Declaration, which was released on Saturday. The leaders of the BRICS nations reaffirmed their support for a “comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council,” according to the Declaration.

BRICS seeks greater representation for developing countries in UNSC

The UN body must be “more democratic, representative, effective, and efficient” and increase the representation of developing countries in the Council's membership so that it can adequately respond to prevailing global challenges and support the legitimate aspirations of emerging and developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America, including BRICS countries, to play a greater role in international affairs, in particular in the UN, including its Security Council, according to the Declaration.

China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States are the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Resolutions are subject to the veto power of each permanent member. Since the Council's founding in 1945, the number of permanent members has not changed.

Guterres warns AI divide could deepen global inequalities

The departing UN Secretary-General stated that artificial intelligence “could compress decades of development into years, but its power sits with a few companies, in a few countries.” If left unchecked, the AI divide will exacerbate all existing divides, including those in income, opportunity, security and sovereignty.

According to him, critical minerals must be managed responsibly in order to add value and jobs to communities and producing nations.

He also discussed the necessity of peace. 

“Our world needs peace, from Gaza to the larger Middle East crisis, to Ukraine, Sudan, and beyond.”