The French President also emphasised the need for changes within the UN to reflect a more inclusive global structure
French President Emmanuel Macron has reiterated his country’s support for India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Macron made these remarks during his address at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he called for reforms to make the UN more effective and representative.
Macron acknowledged the challenges within the current structure of the UNSC, where permanent members often veto resolutions based on their own interests, hindering progress on global issues. He remarked, “As long as we have a Security Council that is blocked reciprocally, I would say, according to each one’s respective interests, it will be difficult to move forward. Is there a better system? I don’t think so.”
The French President also emphasised the need for changes within the UN to reflect a more inclusive global structure. He stressed that reforming the Security Council is key to achieving this goal, saying, “Let’s simply make the UN more effective, first and foremost by making it more representative. That’s why France, and I will say it again here, supports the expansion of the Security Council. Germany, Japan, India, and Brazil should be permanent members, along with the two countries designated by Africa to represent it.”
India has long advocated for a permanent seat on the UNSC, arguing that its growing influence and its role as a voice for the developing world should be recognized. This effort has gained considerable support from various international leaders, including Macron.
The UNSC currently consists of 15 member states—five of which are permanent members with veto power: China, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the United States. The remaining ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.
Macron’s remarks come at a time when calls for reforming global institutions are growing stronger. Earlier, during the “Summit of the Future” at the UNGA, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also stressed the importance of reforming international institutions. He described reforms as the “key to relevance” and highlighted the recent inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 as a significant step in this direction.
PM Modi further expressed India’s willingness to share its developmental experiences with the Global South. He said, “When we discuss the global future, we must accord the highest priority to a human-centric approach. While prioritizing sustainable development, we must also ensure human welfare, food, and health security. By lifting 250 million people out of poverty in India, we have demonstrated that sustainable development can be successful. We are ready to share our experiences of success with the Global South. The success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not on the battlefield.”
India’s push for a permanent seat on the UNSC aligns with its broader vision of playing a more active role in shaping global governance, especially as it seeks to represent the interests of developing nations. The growing support from leaders like Macron highlights the momentum behind this aspiration.
