‘To contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security…’

Abstract

"In a world torn by war and violence, we need a far better Security Council to promote international peace and security and defend international law. Since the Council plays a much more active role than in the past, its failures are more evident and its reform is more urgent than ever. But the path to reform is exceedingly difficult. [...] The spotlight on membership, permanency and Charter revision has obscured the promising reform possibilities in the Council’s procedures and working methods – changes that can occur with far less difficulty. In the past 15 years, the Council has slowly been reforming itself, largely under pressure from the 10 elected members. The Council today holds more effective public meetings, consults better with non-Council actors such as Troop Contributing Countries, goes on missions to crisis areas, publishes its programme of work and targets its sanctions better, to name just a few significant improvements. But much remains to be done. [...]", p. 29, 37