G-4 call for developing world’s role in permanent & non-permanent categories of UNSC

The Group of Four (G4) nations met on Thursday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York to discuss the ongoing negotiations for the reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC).

In a joint statement, ministers from all four countries underscored that multilateralism is under significant strain due to multiple and complex crises. They also concurred that the UN Security Council’s inability to effectively and timely address contemporary global challenges reinforces the urgent need for its comprehensive reform.

They reiterated that the expansion of the UN Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership is essential to make the body more representative, legitimate, effective and efficient. Noting a record number of Member States that explicitly acknowledged the need for reform of the UN Security Council, the Ministers emphasized the renewed momentum to advance the discussions on this critical and urgent issue.


They agreed on the need to enhance the role and participation of developing countries in the Security Council, both in the permanent and non-permanent categories of members. Recognising the historical injustice with regard to representation in the Security Council, they underlined the importance of increasing participation of under-represented and unrepresented groups and regions, such as Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean.

In this context, the G4 Ministers reaffirmed their strong support to the Common African Position (CAP) and emphasised that Africa needs to be represented in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of a reformed and expanded Security Council, in line with the CAP as enshrined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.

Agreeing on the need to enhance the role and participation of G4 members as major contributing countries to the maintenance of international peace and security in the Security Council, the G4 Ministers reiterated their support for each other’s candidatures as aspiring new permanent members in a reformed Security Council, which they aimed to achieve through an open, transparent and democratic process, consistent with the UN Charter.

Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs Sanjay Verma represented India at the G4 Foreign Ministers’ meet on the margins of UNGA.