As an Irish citizen, I am deeply concerned about the recent events where America vetoed a humanitarian ceasefire for the third time during the war on Gaza. Despite initially asking for amendments, America vetoed it anyway. This is not just about one particular incident but reflects a larger issue at hand - the power of veto in the United Nations Security Council.

The current system allows any one of five permanent members (China, France, Russia, UK and USA) to block any resolution regardless of its global support. This means that even if all other 190+ member countries agree on a decision, it can still be blocked by just one country. This is not democracy; this is dictatorship at an international level.

According to a report by Global Policy Forum (2015), between 1946 and 2007 there were around 263 vetoes made by these five countries with USA leading with 82 vetoes followed by Russia with 80 vetoes. The power of veto has been used multiple times to block resolutions related to major conflicts and human rights abuses across the world.

We need change now more than ever. We need a system that truly represents democratic values where majority rules rather than being held hostage by few nations' interests. Let's demand that our leaders push for reform in UN Security Council voting procedures so that no single country can unilaterally decide against what could be beneficial for humanity as whole. 

I am asking ALL permanent UN Ambassador's to raise this Global issue with the United Nations Security Council as a matter of urgency and to bring forward the Summit of the Future on 22-23 September 2024, Prioritizing the Pact for the future and including the change to the UNSC. 

"Ireland fully supports the objectives identified by the Secretary-General on UN 2.0 and the Quintet of Change. The reforms and transformations coming from the UN75 Declaration and Our Common Agenda are necessary and urgent. No reform is more needed than that of the UN Security Council. While change is urgently needed, an enlarged Security Council cannot be a goal in and of itself. The aim of expansion must be to create a Council that truly reflects the diversity of the UN membership"

EXTRACT FROM https://www.ireland.ie/en/un/newyork/ireland-at-the-un/un-reform/

Security Council
We are closely involved in negotiations, underway for some time, to reform and enlarge the Security Council.

Acknowledging that the composition of the Council needs to be updated to take account of changing global realities, we favour a Security Council that is more representative, more inclusive, more effective, more transparent and more accountable in its actions.

We have also joined many other countries in calling for the abolition of the veto rights conferred on the five permanent members of the Council.

Ireland is a leading member of the ACT group, launched in 2013, which seeks to improve the accountability, coherence and transparency of the Security Council in its current composition.

We are working to encourage greater Security Council efforts on early warning and conflict prevention, as well as a more open and interactive relationship between the Security Council, the broader UN membership and civil society.

General Assembly
Ireland is actively involved in the debate on the Revitalisation of the General Assembly, a dedicated item of work in the GA since its inclusion in the agenda of the 46th Session in 1991. Revitalisation, which looks at reforming the work of the General Assembly, is discussed biennially.

As in the Security Council reform process, Ireland is a leading member of the ACT group. We are working to encourage further rationalisation and streamlining of the work of the General Assembly, increasing transparency and improving coordination with the Security Council and other bodies.

Our Common Agenda
Ireland welcomed the UN Secretary General's 2021 Our Common Agenda (OCA) report. We support the Secretary-General's vision to reinvigorate an inclusive, networked, and effective multilateralism, making the UN fit for purpose.

Following the OCA report, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution in 2022 to hold the Summit of the Future on 22-23 September 2024 during UN High-Level Week. The Summit of the Future will build upon the 2023 SDG Summit and SDG Political Declaration, negotiated by Ireland and Qatar, by agreeing an action-oriented Pact for the Future. Ireland made a national submission to the Pact in December 2023, and contributed to the submission by the EU.

Ireland is supportive of the OCA process, recognising the opportunity it represents for turbocharging the SDGs. We also welcomed discussions around a 'New Agenda for Peace' and made a national submission in response to the UN's invitation to Member States to share their views, priorities and potential recommendations. 

https://www.un.org/en/content/common-agenda-report/assets/pdf/Common_Agenda_Report_English.pdf

https://international-review.icrc.org/articles/the-un75-declaration-our-common-agenda-and-the-development-of-international-law-920

Remove the ability to veto this change and implement a Majority rules democratic system that removes these states from having the majority rule and create a more inclusive council. 

Please sign this petition today and let's make our world more democratic!