The Future of the United Nations Security Council

12 February 2008

Colin Keating

2008 has already brought major new challenges for diplomats. The situations in Kenya and Pakistan underline the depths of the problems in Africa and elsewhere. The Security Council and UN peacekeepers were already at historically high levels of activity in 2006-2007. Can they take on any more? NATO, the EU, the US, the Nordics, and Australia and New Zealand also seem to be stretched to the limit. Perhaps it is time for some searching analysis of whether the current machinery for international collective security is up to the challenges of the 21st Century. The UN Security Council is at the heart of that system. But is it living up to its potential? Can it be reformed and what kinds of reforms might improve the overall outlook? What does the future hold? These are all important questions at a time when Australia is exploring new options for an enhanced multilateral role.

Broad Topics: Law

Sub-topics: Law, Justice & Law Enforcement, Policy & Political Science

Areas: ANU College of Asia and the Pacific

Security Council Report is a new independent think tank set up in New York in 2005. It operates in affiliation with Columbia University and has already established an enviable reputation as the commentator of choice on any matters to do with the Security Council. Its Executive Director, Colin Keating, is a member of the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy's Advisory Board and earlier was the Ambassador of New Zealand to the UN and served on the Security Council in 1993-94.