UN reform: Turkish diplomat names most realistic proposal

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06.11.2025 16:10

Ukrinform

Amending the structure and the rules of procedure of the Security Council is a key element of UN reform to make the Organization more representative and balanced. Under certain conditions, expanding the number of non-permanent members of the Security Council while simultaneously limiting the veto power of its permanent members is a realistic approach.

Erdogan Iscan, former Ambassador of Türkiye to Ukraine (2005–2009) and now Vice-Chair of the UN Committee Against Torture, said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

“Several alternative proposals have been developed by various groups of States. Nevertheless, this necessitates amending the United Nations Charter, which requires the approval of all five permanent members of the Security Council. But there is no ground for pessimism. The stronger the solidarity develops among the States of the so-called Global South, the higher the chance to realize the reform of the Security Council,” Iscan explained.

The Turkish diplomat believes that expanding the permanent membership of the UN Security Council is neither realistic nor effective in the long run and would not contribute to fairness.

“The relatively more realistic proposal in this regard might be to expand the temporary members of the Security Council while restricting the veto powers of the permanent members. To render the functioning effective, expansion should be limited. Also, to ensure continuity, temporary members should be given the chance for re-election,” Iscan noted.

In his opinion, the formation of alliances of states in support of UN reform provides some grounds for optimism.

“There has been an ongoing reform process for the last three decades. But, unsurprisingly, substantive progress has not been achieved. Nonetheless, certain groups of States formed alliances based on agreed road maps on how to proceed and conclude the reform process. That gives us a certain degree of optimism. If the majority of Member States keep consolidating their solidarity based on common approaches, the resilience of the five permanent members of the Security Council may be overcome,” Iscan explained.

As reported by Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking from the rostrum of the UN General Assembly, stated that Russia’s war against Ukraine and a number of conflicts around the world have demonstrated the weakness of international institutions and emphasized the need to build a new security architecture.

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