Jakarta. UN Secretary-General António Guterres renewed his calls for overdue UN Security Council reforms on Monday, as Indonesia made another pitch to return to the premier global body for maintaining peace. 

Ahead of his UN exit later this year, Guterres told a foreign policy forum in Jakarta that he wants changes to the Security Council. Guterres — who spent a decade in the UN’s top seat — questioned the council's outdated permanent-member setup. 

China, France, the UK, the US, and Russia hold permanent membership, granting them the power to veto the legally binding resolutions aimed at stopping wars. 

“... Three European [nations]. One North American and one Asian. Is there anything to do in today's world? Is this a representative body of the reality of today's world? Obviously not," Guterres said. 

“The reform of the UN Security Council is a must if we want to have a multilateral instrument that is effective in peace and security.”

He pointed out that some of these permanent members have even begun wars themselves, alluding to the Russian invasion in Ukraine and the US’ military campaign against Iran.

Only the opening remarks were open for media coverage, while the rest of the talks took place behind closed doors.

Despite no word on Indonesia’s UN Security Council bid, the ex-Portuguese prime minister commended Jakarta’s “bridge-builder” role, something that Jakarta had been using to gain international support.

“Indonesia is a pillar of multilateralism in our changing world. … A political and diplomatic bridge-builder — regionally, globally, and at the UN. And a voice and example of peace,” Guterres told the press later that day. 

The day saw Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir bringing up Indonesia’s bid to seek non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council for the 2029-2030 term. He told Guterres that Indonesia could be a reliable addition to the team. 

“We will push for the council that is more impactful, more representative, and more goal-driven. The Security Council must be a room for solutions, not a room for vetoes,” Arrmanatha said.

In recent years, the US — known to be Israel’s biggest ally — has cast vetoes on resolutions related to the Gaza ceasefire. 

The UN Security Council has 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. Indonesia has been in the group four times so far since 1973, with its most recent tenure having ended in 2020. Jakarta, whose foreign policy has put huge emphasis on dialogue, belongs to multiple major groups, such as ASEAN, the Russia- and China-backed BRICS, as well as the G20, which US President Donald Trump is currently helming.

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