MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte called on the United Nations (UN) on Wednesday to “reform itself”, saying the institution has become “inadequate” amid the global issues, with its security council being “neither democratic nor transparent”.
During the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, Duterte delivered the statement in a pre-recorded speech.
“We face multiple crises that demand effective global governance. Yet, our institutions, including the United Nations, have proven to be inadequate,” he said. “If the UN is to lead the world out of the many crises we face, things need to change. The UN must empower itself, by reforming itself. Therein lies the hope for humanity.”
As a “product of an era long past,” the UN no longer reflects the “political and economic realities of today,” Duterte said.
The UN Security Council, according to Duterte, is “neither democratic nor transparent in its representation and processes”.
“Democracy and transparency are concepts that reverberate in the halls of the UN. But ironically, the Security Council – the pinnacle of the UN structure – violates every tenet of these values. Many member states have spoken firmly and we agree: This simply is not right,” he said.
The UN is an international organization that was established in 1945 and currently has 193 member-states, including the Philippines.
The UN’s objective is to preserve international peace and security while protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, supporting sustainable development and climate action, and sustaining international law.
The UNSC, on the other hand, is largely responsible for maintaining international peace and security because it is in charge of determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression.
To maintain or restore international peace and security, the UNSC may impose sanctions or even approve the use of force.
