UN reform will take time

The G4 nations - India, Brazil, Germany and Japan - have renewed their calls for an enlarged United Nations Security Council. The G4 issued a joint statement on Feb 12, pressing for tangible results in enlarging the council before the current session of the UN General Assembly ends in September.

Given the complexity and importance of reforming the Security Council any attempt to rush through premature plans could harm the reform process. It would also run the risk of undermining the unity of UN member nations and jeopardize the interests of all parties.

Mature reform plans will only be agreed on the basis of broad consensus among member countries. Thorough and in-depth consultations are necessary to pave the way for a wider consensus on all the key issues concerning the reform.