UK joins call for limiting UN Security Council vetoes

The United Kingdom has joined a global effort urging permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to refrain from using their vetoes on matters involving mass atrocities, including genocide. The initiative, initially proposed by Mexico and France in 2015, now boasts support from 128 countries, just one short of the two-thirds threshold required.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco highlighted the progress in a joint statement. The Security Council has been stalled on numerous issues due to the five veto-wielding permanent members: France, the UK, Russia, China, and the United States. By endorsing this political declaration, nations are signaling their dedication to allowing the Security Council to effectively fulfill its mandate for maintaining international peace and security.

Although the resolution would remain non-binding even with a two-thirds majority, the objective is to make it more challenging for a permanent member to employ its veto in instances of critical emergencies.