At the recent BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva voiced strong support for India and Brazil to be included as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). He stated that it is inadmissible that India and Brazil, as major global players, are not permanent members of the UNSC, emphasizing the need for the council to be more representative, democratic, and effective.
Lula da Silva isn't alone in this view. Leaders of the BRICS nations echoed this sentiment in a joint declaration, advocating for comprehensive reforms of the UN, particularly the Security Council, to better reflect the current geopolitical landscape. China and Russia, as permanent members of the UNSC, also expressed their support for Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council.
The call for reform comes as many believe the current structure of the UNSC, with its five permanent members (United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom) and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms, is archaic and does not adequately represent the interests and perspectives of the developing world. Lula da Silva has been a long-standing advocate for reforming the Security Council's structure, arguing that the existing model fails to reflect the geopolitical realities of the 21st century. He warned that continuing to postpone this reform contributes to growing global instability, making the world more dangerous. He sees the inclusion of new permanent members from Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean as essential to the very survival of the UN.
Echoing this sentiment, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the world requires a new multipolar and inclusive world order, starting with comprehensive reforms in global institutions. He added that token gestures are insufficient and that there needs to be more representation from the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa in the UNSC.
The BRICS nations also addressed broader global issues, expressing concern over ongoing conflicts, increasing global military spending, and the use of unilateral coercive measures. They condemned terrorism and attacks on regions such as Kashmir and the Gaza Strip. They also voiced concerns over the increasing global military spending, which they said comes at the cost of financing development in the Global South. The BRICS leaders called for the elimination of unlawful measures that undermine international law and the principles of the UN Charter, reaffirming that BRICS member states do not impose or support non-UN Security Council-authorized sanctions that are contrary to international law.
The BRICS summit highlighted the growing importance of the bloc as a platform for advocating for multipolarity, equitable representation in global institutions, and a rebalancing of international power structures in favor of emerging economies. The expansion of BRICS to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran further underscores its growing influence on the global stage.
