Analyst: UN Needs Reform Amid Current Geopolitical Dynamics

Jakarta (ANTARA) - A Middle East analyst from Universitas Indonesia, Muhammad Syaroni Rofii, believes that the United Nations (UN) needs to undertake reform amid the rising geopolitical dynamics at present.

“The UN, as an international organisation, needs to carry out institutional reform to achieve substantive and symbolic transformation,” said Syaroni when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta on Monday.

He stated that many member states have criticised the UN for being unable to do much when needed, such as in the Palestine, Ukraine, and Lebanon conflicts, so what Spain has expressed reflects the voice that has long been emerging.

Previously, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Saturday (18/4) called for the UN to be “updated and reformed” to better reflect 21st-century realities.

According to Muhammad Syaroni Rofii, one institutional element that also needs reform is the UN Security Council (UNSC).

“The concept of veto rights should no longer be relevant. It would be better to use the majority vote of UN members, both in the Security Council and the General Assembly,” he said.

Another element that needs reform, he said, is the position of the UN Secretary-General (UNSG). “The Secretary-General should be based on regional representation and a figure selected through candidate nominations, so that the aspirations of UN member states are visible,” he said.

He added that Indonesia can contribute to UN reform through initial discussions with countries that share the same reform spirit.

“It can start by strengthening coordination at the level of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Indonesia can convey regional aspirations through the channels available at the UN,” he said.

In addition, Indonesia can also gather international law experts and former diplomats who have served at the UN to identify which areas need reform for the good of the global community.