The current security council arrangement does not give smaller countries like the UAE a permanent vote, nor is the council representative or able to take action on world decisions.
Prof Richard Hartwig, a political science professor at Texas A&M University in Kingsville, suggested a radical reform of the council in the form of a Regional Economic Proposal. He was speaking at Dubai Press Club yesterday on an invitation by the Dubai School of Government (DSG).
Hartwig said reform was necessary to restore the council’s power and legitimacy and enable it to tackle a likely world crisis such as climate change by 2020, the deadline set by the high level panel for a review of the council.
"A satisfactory reform of the UN Security Council is important, but currently impossible given the veto power of the five permanent members and an absence of consensus among other members of the UN".
His model groups regions along geographical and political lines with each region presided over by an anchor country. Countries capacity to veto would be withdrawn.
His suggested Middle East grouping would include countries from Morrocco to Afghanistan and Pakistan, excluding Israel. "It would be regional and based on Islamic identity," he said.
"I’ve tried to separate countries that have a history of conflict, such as Pakistan and India."
A Region could only vote if supported by member countries representing 60 per cent of its population and 60 per cent of its GDP.
He explained that the UAE would have a permanent vote in the Security Council under normal conditions. "Currently, the UAE only has a chance at a two-year seat," Hartwig said.
"Every country is vulnerable to climate change, terrorism, environmental degradation.
"The biggest problem is we need to be able to deal with world challenges," he said. “ In emergencies only anchor and co-anchor countries would vote.”