India’s Pratik Mathur Calls for UN Security Council Reforms at UN General Assembly

Pratik Mathur, the Minister at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, spoke at the UN General Assembly, stressing the need for comprehensive reforms in the UN Security Council. He criticized the current debate on the annual report as a ‘ritual without much substance’ and called for better analysis of peacekeeping operations.

Mathur highlighted that the annual report should inform, highlight, and analyze measures taken to maintain international peace and security. He pointed out that the report has become a mere collection of meeting details and outcome documents, with little focus on the actual functioning of peacekeeping operations.

He emphasized the need for a definite timeline for completing the report, circulating it to wider General Assembly members, and holding the debate. Mathur also called for a better partnership between the Security Council and Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs).

Mathur stressed the importance of expanding both permanent and non-permanent members to bring the Council in line with its Charter responsibility. He stated that only comprehensive reform would enable the Council to manage today’s global conflicts and challenges effectively.

He concluded by urging the Security Council to prove its credibility and improve its performance, especially as performance assessment has become a focus area at the United Nations.