RIO DE JANEIRO — The veto power held by the P5 (Permanent Five) countries in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) should be more inclusive, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The current setting is grossly unfair. There needs to be representatives from Latin America and Africa,” he said, adding that reforms of the United Nations (UN) have been in discussion for over five decades.
“We are talking about reform of the institution of the United Nations. We’re talking about ideals, humanity, (and) humanitarian values.
“We’re talking about representatives. There’s no representation from Africa, no representation for Latin America, who cares?
“Hence, they must consider adequate democratic representation from (the) regions (of) Latin America and Africa. It’s grossly unfair to continue UNSC by excluding them,” he said at the second session of the ‘Reform of the Institutions of Global Governance’ at the G20 Summit here on Monday.
The five permanent members of the UNSC, also known as the Big Five or P5, are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Anwar said the call for the reform of the UN must include principles of representation.
Malaysia is at the G20 Summit as a guest, along with 16 guest countries including Chile, Qatar, Egypt, Singapore, Spain, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.
The last time Malaysia attended the G20 Summit was in 2015 in Turkiye as ASEAN chairman at the time.
The G20 represents 85% of the US$110 trillion in the world’s GDP.
It also accounts for 75% of the US$32 in trade in goods and services and two-thirds of the 8 billion inhabitants of the planet.
Anwar on the sidelines of the G20 Summit met with French President Emmanuel Macron and with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa here on Monday.
The discussion with Ramaphosa focused on enhancing bilateral ties in the areas of diplomacy, education, trade and investment.
Anwar’s conversation with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, also revolved around strengthening bilateral ties and furthering collaboration between both countries.
“He invited me to visit the UK. We are looking into it,” said Anwar.
Anwar said his discussion with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, meanwhile, touched on ASEAN, particularly the ASEAN Power Grid from Vietnam, through Peninsular Malaysia to Singapore. – November 19, 2024