New Delhi /New York : Secretary (West) Ambassador Sibi George attended a ministerial-level event on the Franco-Mexican Initiative on the voluntary restraint of the veto in New York on Monday, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The initiative, launched jointly by France and Mexico in 2015, calls for the voluntary suspension of the use of the UN Security Council veto in situations involving mass atrocities, including genocide, crimes against humanity and large-scale war crimes. The initiative currently has the support of 128 countries, with 21 additional states joining over the past four months. (France Diplomatie)
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Sibi George reiterated India’s well-established and consistent position on the veto. He also underlined the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, stressing the importance of making the Council more representative and responsive to contemporary global realities.
The Franco-Mexican initiative seeks to strengthen the Council’s ability to respond collectively in situations involving mass atrocities by encouraging permanent members to exercise voluntary restraint in using their veto. France and Mexico have been promoting the initiative as part of their broader efforts to strengthen effective multilateralism and the UN system. (France Diplomatie)
The New York meeting brought together countries that have long supported the initiative, newly supporting states and countries expressing interest in its objectives. The event also comes amid renewed international discussions on UN Security Council reform, representation and the responsible use of veto powers. (France Diplomatie)
India has consistently called for comprehensive reform of the Security Council, including greater representation for developing countries, while maintaining its established position on the question of the veto.