{
  "id": 16418258,
  "title": "Veto power hinders efforts to end conflicts: UN",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/veto-power-hinders-efforts-to-end-conflicts-un",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T01:19:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2039556/veto-power-hinders-efforts-to-end-conflicts-un"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A fresh United Nations report has cautioned that the veto power wielded by the five permanent members of the Security Council is contributing to the inability of multilateral mechanisms to curb or halt the increasing count of state-led conflicts. The resulting gridlock in decision-making processes has undermined the effectiveness of the UN, leading its secretary-general to champion Security Council reforms, including a broadening of its membership to ensure a more equitable representation, especially for Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, as well as the Asia-Pacific region. These regions, despite bearing a significant portion of the burden in peacemaking efforts in a world that is becoming more multipolar, are currently underrepresented. The 'World Social Report 2026' highlights how geopolitical fragmentation has escalated global risks, with a growing number of nations playing a pivotal role in other countries' affairs, rising from six in the 1970s to 34 today. The strain of geopolitical fragmentation is also evident in the deteriorating relations between neighboring countries, with 59 countries experiencing poor ties in 2024-25, compared to only 19 countries that saw improvements. The shifting global landscape, where power is dispersed across multiple centers rather than being controlled by two competing countries or a single superpower, could potentially enhance multilateralism. However, the current state of geopolitical fragmentation and the race for strategic dominance may be undermining multilateral processes and collective global actions, paving the way for \"minilateralism\" or \"coalitions of the willing.\" The report, prepared by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), emphasizes that economic, digital, and energy transformations are rapidly reshaping the world, yet billions of people, particularly those in low-income and conflict-affected economies, remain excluded from the benefits of these changes. The report underscores that although the pace of economic, digital, and energy transformations is remarkable, conflict and fragility continue to destroy productive assets, deter investment, weaken institutions, and disrupt education, health services, and livelihoods.",
  "summary": "• Says geopolitical fragmentation rises as major powers vie for influence • Calls for stronger cooperation on debt, technology, development ISLAMABAD: A new United Nations report has warned that the veto power of the five permanent members of the Security Council is one of the reasons multilateral mechanisms have been unable to prevent or stop the growing number of state-based conflicts. The…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}