Source: The Hill

09/12/24 2:00 PM ET

The Biden administration is calling for adding two permanent seats for African nations to the United Nations Security Council, and an elected seat for a small-island developing nation.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced the proposal Thursday, capping off her nearly four-year effort to give more power to countries historically isolated from decisionmaking on international peace and security.

The announcement comes as the United Nations General Assembly is set to convene Sept. 22-24. It's not clear if negotiations surrounding the reforms would be ready by the time for the general assembly, but a senior administration official said the U.S. is prepared to pursue "text-based negotiations," prepare amendments and "get to work on a resolution for a vote in the general assembly to amend the U.N. Charter."

"The announcement we're making today helps to put some meat around the bones of our vision for a reformed Security Council, but there are many questions that will need to be addressed between and among member states, and that ultimately will be fodder for the text-based negotiations," the official said, briefing reporters in a call Thursday morning.

Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/international/4876717-us-proposes-un-security-council-reforms/