Trump To Push For UN Reforms, But Expansion Of Security Council Unlikely In Near Future

United States of America President Donald Trump, a critic of the United Nations (UN), will seek to gather global support for reforming the world body, ahead of his maiden address to the General Assembly.

India and some key members of the UN have also been seeking reforms and expansion of the UN Security Council.

Ahead of his address, Trump would host and chair a high-level meeting of the world leaders on reforms in the UN. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would be participating in the meeting.

During the meeting, Trump “will express support for Secretary General (Antonio) Guterres’ reform efforts,” said National Security Advisor Lt Gen H R McMaster.

“The United Nations, of course, holds tremendous potential to realise its founding ideals, but only if it’s run more efficiently and effectively,” he told reporters in Washington last week.

On Tuesday, Trump will address the General Assembly during which he will tackle multiple global issues such as North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and the crisis in Syria.

The UN reforms will focus on ensuring that other countries take a more equitable burden to ensure international security, greater accountability of UN officials and to reduce the budget by eliminating duplication.

Trump had once described the UN as “a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time”.

“The utter weakness and incompetency of the United Nations. The United Nations is not a friend of democracy. It’s not a friend to freedom. It’s not a friend even to the United States of America, where, as you know, it has its home,” Trump had said during his presidential campaign last year.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin on Saturday said India wants these reforms to be broad-based and all encompassing.

Although Trump is planning to push for reforms in the UN, he is unlikely to bring up the question of expansion of the security. However, experts believe that other members of the security council may not have a common view on the issue even if Trump pushes for inclusion of India and Japan to the Security Council.

With inputs from ANI