Stubb for UNSC reform abolishing veto power, announces Finland´s candidature

President Alexander Stubb on Tuesday reiterated the need for reformation of the Security Council of the United Nations to make it more functioning and suggested for abolishing the veto power and including five more permanent members from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Speaking at the General Debate of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, he also announced the candidature of Finland for election to the Security Council from 2029 to 2030.

“Since my first speech here two years ago, I have consistently called for a reformed Security Council. The world has changed, so should the UN. There should be, at least, two new permanent seats for Africa, two for Asia-Pacific and one for Latin America,” said the President, adding that no single state should have veto power.

He also said that if a member of the Security Council violates the UN Charter, its voting rights should be suspended.

He said that the world needs a functioning UN Security Council and the UN needs to be at the centre of rule-making and institution-building.

Stubb underscored the need to go back to the basics of international law as a remedy for a world in disorder.

The President also focused on various global situations including Ukraine and Middle East wars, humanitarian crisis in Gaza and violence in Haiti.

“Gaza continues to be one of the world’s most acute humanitarian emergencies, marked by mass displacement, the destruction of infrastructure and a lack of essential services,” he said.

He said that Haiti struggles with armed violence and extreme weather events, causing a displacement crisis, a hunger crisis, and a health crisis.