Will the UN reform “Pact for the Future”?

Despite Russia’s objections, the UN General Assembly has adopted the "Pact for the Future."

The Pact outlines major reforms to the UN Security Council, including mechanisms to curb the veto powers of its permanent members (Russia included), and aims to strengthen international law around peacekeeping, conflict prevention, and holding countries accountable for starting wars.

Russia’s diplomatic pushback was met with resistance from even the Global South (including China), which Moscow has been working hard to align with in its standoff against the West.

The document sets forth 56 actions for reforming the UN, including:

• Restructuring and expanding the Security Council to make it more representative
• Strengthening peace initiatives and international law
• Revamping UN peacekeeping forces for more proactive conflict prevention
• Reforming global financial institutions
• Tackling climate change
• Pursuing the UN's sustainable development goals
• Ensuring human rights, justice, equality (including gender equality), and inclusiveness
• Regulating the development of artificial intelligence
• And more

143 countries backed the document, 15 abstained, and 7 opposed it: Russia’s usual allies — Belarus, Syria, North Korea, Sudan, Iran, and Nicaragua — stood by its side.

One key reform is expanding the Security Council to better reflect today’s global landscape and the UN’s membership. The veto power is also under the spotlight. Currently, five permanent members — the UK, China, Russia, the US, and France — hold this privilege. The Pact explicitly states that efforts will intensify to reach a consensus on reforming veto rights, including discussions to limit its use. The reform of the Security Council is a top priority and must move forward without delay.

As we know, Russia’s veto power allows it to block any Security Council action regarding the war it started. Last week, Finland's President, Alexander Stubb, announced plans to push for reforms. In a Reuters interview, he said he would propose increasing the number of permanent Security Council members from five to ten, including one from Latin America, two from Africa, and two from Asia. Plus, “no country should have veto power” in the Security Council, especially not one engaged in an illegal war — like Russia in Ukraine, Stubb added.

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergey Vershinin, complained that opposing nations didn’t get a chance for more talks (after nearly nine months of discussions). He proposed an amendment stating the UN and its bodies “shouldn’t interfere in matters that fall under the internal jurisdiction of any state.” If this isn't added to the pact, Russia “distances itself from the consensus,” Vershinin warned. The Russian delegation also pushed to delay the vote for further approvals.

In total, Russia opposed 25 provisions in the pact. Beyond demanding recognition of national jurisdiction supremacy, Russia rejected wording on universal access to sexual and reproductive health rights and broader empowerment of women. This stance drew criticism from representatives of the African Union and Mexico, which many diplomats saw as a blow to Russia's efforts to win over African and Latin American allies.

Right after Russia’s objections, the Democratic Republic of the Congo called for the rejection of the amendment.

Some parts of the pact directly clash with Russia's actions in Ukraine. It emphasizes that to honor our core promise of protecting future generations from war, we must follow international law, including the UN Charter, by settling disputes peacefully, refraining from force and aggression, respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ensuring accountability through stronger prosecution and the end of impunity.

While this Pact isn't the final victory in UN reform, it’s a big step forward.

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About the author. Rostyslav Demchuk, journalist, expert on Euro-Atlantic issues

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.