The UN security council must take in new permanent members or risk becoming increasingly irrelevant on the international stage, former UN secretary general Kofi Annan has warned.

In an interview with the Guardian, Annan said Russia, China, the US, France and the UK should take advantage of the imminent 70th anniversary of the UN to modernize the pre-eminent global security body by welcoming in powers such as India and Germany.

“I firmly believe that the council should be reformed: it cannot continue as it is. The world has changed and the UN should change and adapt. If we don’t change the council, we risk a situation where the primacy of the council may be challenged by some of the new emerging countries.”

“I think those in privileged positions will have to think hard and decide what amount of power they are prepared to release to make the participation of the newcomers meaningful. If they do that, they will get cooperation; if they don’t, we risk confrontation.”

The current system, which gives only five countries – China, France, Russia, the UK and US – a permanent seat and veto in the council, has been widely criticized as an anachronism, setting in stone the global politics of 70 years ago. Among the longstanding proponents of reform are India, Germany, Japan and South Africa, all lobbying for a permanent seat on the council.

Source: MENA