Permanent members of the Security Council must be accountable when using their veto power

Ambassador of Liechtenstein to the United Nations Christian Wenaweser speaks to the 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly on April 26 – Photo: REUTERS

First proposed more than two years ago, the resolution allows the UN General Assembly to convene a formal meeting within 10 days of a permanent member of the Security Council using its veto power. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the vetoed issue, AFP news agency reported.

The resolution proposed by Liechtenstein was supported and sponsored by nearly 100 countries, including the US, UK and France, before being put to the General Assembly for comments.

Neither Russia nor China supported or sponsored this resolution. AFP quoted an unnamed diplomat from either country as saying the resolution would “divide” the UN further.

Although it does not change the veto power of the 5 permanent members of the Security Council, namely the US, Russia, China, the UK and France, the above resolution is expected to improve the transparency of the Security Council and forcing permanent members to think twice before using this right.

On April 19, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the adoption of the resolution proposed by Liechtenstein “would be an important step towards accountability, transparency and accountability of all” members. permanent member of the Security Council.

Since 1946, Russia has used its veto power 143 times, the US 86 times, the UK 30 times, and China and France 18 times each.