Shigeru Ishiba unceremoniously labeled the Security Council with two labels: obsolete and ineffective.This was one of his speeches at the UN General Assembly that could be said to be the fiercest.
On the issue of obsolescence, Shigeru Ishiba came up with a set of numbers to speak for itself.
He pointed out, Since the founding of the United Nations in 1945, the number of member states has quadrupled, but the five permanent members of the Security Council remain.
This is as if a class expanded from a dozen to dozens, and the members of the committee remained unchanged.
Just increasing the number of non-permanent members will not solve the fundamental problem of underrepresentation at all.
Speaking of ineffectiveness, Shiloh pointed his head directly at Russia.。
He took the example of the conflict in Ukraine, in which a permanent member of the Council openly invaded a neighbouring country, but could veto the relevant resolutions at a time in the Security Council.
Although the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolutions calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops, these resolutions are not binding in reality at all.
He also mentioned Russia’s interpretation of Article 51 of the UN Charter, ironically emblazoning the invasion as a “right to collective self-defense.”
Stephenson also made historical comparisons.
He compared the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.
This metaphor is quite resounding, suggesting that Russia’s pattern of behavior has not changed with the times.
Trump's dissatisfaction with the United Nations is more personal. He claimed on many occasions that he mediated seven wars during his term of office, but the United Nations didn't even settle any of them.
This contrast sounds exaggerated, but it reflects Trump's doubts about the actual role of the United Nations.
Trump also complained that the UN Secretary-General did not provide any assistance when he mediated the war.
There may be a deeper motivation behind this complaint.
An analysis suggests, Trump has always had personal ambitions for the Nobel Peace Prize.He hopes to highlight his contribution to international peace by degrading the United Nations.
From Trump’s remarks, it can be seen that he is extremely negative about the UN’s contribution toining international peace.
He thinks The United Nations has not only failed to function as it should, but has become an inefficient bureaucracy.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov put forward a relatively specific reform plan in his speech to the UN General Assembly on September 28th.
He called for a broader representation of Asian, African and Latin American countries in the Security Council., this proposal sounds reasonable. After all, the current structure of the Security Council does reflect the world structure after World War II.
Lavrov specifically supported India and Brazil becoming permanent members of the Security Council.There are clear geopolitical considerations behind this proposal.
As the most populous country in the world and an important emerging economy, India does have reason to gain greater international voice.
As the largest country in Latin America, Brazil also represents the interests of the entire South American region.
Lavrov's proposals seem open-minded, but they are actually in line with Russia's strategic interests.
By supporting developing countries to gain more power, Russia can gain more allies in the international system, especially as it currently faces Western sanctions.
During the United Nations General Assembly in September, the calls for reform reached a climax.This is not a coincidence, but the result of the collaboration of multiple factors.
Changes in the international situation have made the limitations of the United Nations more apparent.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to this day, and the United Nations appears unable to resolve this major international crisis.
Turbulence in the Middle East, global challenges caused by climate change, and debt crises in developing countriesWe need a more effective international coordination mechanism.
The rise of developing countries also makes existing international governance structures obsolete.
Emerging economies such as India, Brazil and South Africa are becoming increasingly important in the global economy, but they do not have the right to speak in the UN Security Council.
Shigeru Ishiba's speech won applause from the members of the General Assembly. This detail is worth pondering.
Applause means recognition. Many countries are dissatisfied with the status quo of the UN.This collective sense of identity could accelerate the reform process.
Although the calls for reform of the UN are rising, they face serious obstacles in practical operation.
The vested interests of the permanent members of the Security Council are the biggest obstacle. The existing five permanent members are unlikely to relinquish their privileged positions easily.
Any major reform requires the agreement of these five countries, each with its own small calculus.
The reform plan itself is also controversial.
Which countries should become the new permanent members of the Council? should the new permanent members be given a veto right?
Different reform proposals reflect the interests of different groups of countries, and it is difficult to reach a consensus.
In the words of the leaders of the three countries, the United Nations is indeed at a time for serious consideration of reform.
The two questions of “obsolescence” and “ineffectiveness” raised by Sharpomo are more persuasive than the views of Trump and Lavrov.
In the 80 years since the founding of the United Nations, the world has changed dramatically, but the core structure of the organization is essentially unchanged.
It's like using a map from 80 years ago to guide travel today, and something is bound to go wrong.
Reforms cannot be made at once, but at least action must be taken.
If the UN continues to comply, it could face a more serious crisis of trust.
When more and more countries feel that the organization is unable to represent their interests, the authority and effectiveness of the United Nations will be greatly reduced.
Source of information:
Official website of the United Nations Minutes of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in 2025 and speeches of leaders of various countries
The official website of the White House President Trump's public statement and press conference during the UN General Assembly
Russian Foreign Ministry Foreign Minister Lavrov on September 28 General Assembly speech full text and policy interpretation
Japan's Prime Minister's official website, Japan's Prime Minister's statement to the UN General Assembly and related policy documents
Official report of the United Nations Press Center on proposed reforms by Member States during the 2025 General Assembly
Historical discussion and text of resolutions on Security Council reforms in the Official Library of Documents of the United Nations
Official statement issued by the Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the United Nations reform process and feedback from member states