UN Security Council Veto must be abolished - Foreign Minister says

Malaysia has called for the abolition of the United Nations Security Council's veto power, particularly in cases of crimes against humanity, stating that the Council's inaction is damaging its credibility. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan emphasized that merely expanding the Council's membership would not resolve its issues, asserting that the veto itself must be addressed.

He lamented that "no place requires reform more than the Security Council" and that "no place more clearly exposes the weaknesses of the United Nations than the Security Council." Mohamad highlighted that UN General Assembly Resolution 76/262 has established a mechanism for accountability when a permanent member uses its veto, urging the full utilization of this resolution to enhance responsibility regarding veto usage.

He urged the international community to seize the opportunity to reform the global order before it is too late, noting that the Security Council's paralysis is eroding trust in the UN and threatening the multilateral order. He pointed to signs of a fragmented global order, a resurgence of military competition, and the potential misuse of artificial intelligence, urging governments to regulate technology responsibly.

Mohamad stressed that revitalizing confidence in proactive governance and multilateralism is crucial to rectifying the current trajectory.