World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Guterres and Indonesia’s foreign minister criticize UN Security Council veto use
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Indonesia’s foreign minister criticized the use of vetoes by permanent members of the Security Council.
They spoke in Jakarta on Monday, saying vetoes can block efforts to maintain global peace.
The council’s five permanent members are the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France, and each can veto a substantive draft resolution even if most members support it.
Guterres said the council’s structure, set up after the Second World War, no longer reflects today’s geopolitical realities.
He and Indonesia’s minister called for a more effective and representative UN, including a greater role for developing countries.
Indonesia plans to push for Security Council reform as it seeks a non-permanent seat for 2029–2030.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Indonesia’s foreign minister criticized the use of vetoes by permanent members of the Security Council.
They said veto use can obstruct efforts to maintain world peace.
Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir said the Council should seek solutions rather than serve as a place to use vetoes.
Guterres also said the Council’s membership no longer reflects current geopolitical realities.
Indonesia said it would push for Council reform through its bid for a non-permanent seat for 2029-2030.
- Who
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Indonesian Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir, known as Tata.
- What
- They criticized the use of vetoes by permanent members of the UN Security Council and called for reform.
- When
- October 19, 2026.
- Where
- Jakarta, Indonesia. Tata spoke at the Foreign Ministry, and Guterres also spoke at a Foreign Policy Circle Talks forum.
- Why
- They said veto use can hinder efforts to maintain peace, and Guterres said the Council’s membership no longer reflects current geopolitical realities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Tata and Guterres criticized veto use during a joint press statement at the Foreign Ministry in Jakarta.
Guterres criticized the Security Council’s composition at the Foreign Policy Circle Talks forum.
- Permanent Security Council members
- United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom and France
- Veto power
- The five permanent members can block substantive draft resolutions, even with majority support.
- Indonesia’s candidacy
- Non-permanent Security Council seat for 2029-2030
- Location
- Pancasila Building, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Central Jakarta
What people are saying
The Security Council must be a place to seek solutions, not a place to use the veto.
Does that make sense in today’s world? Is this body representative? Clearly, it is no longer so today.