The UN General Assembly is set to convene a plenary session to discuss Russia's veto on a US resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, MINURSO. The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, will focus on Russia's use of its veto power, not the Sahara Moroccan issue. Eleven members of the Security Council supported the US resolution. The session is a procedural examination of the veto, in line with a General Assembly resolution adopted in 2022.
The General Assembly resolution, initiated by Liechtenstein, aims to increase transparency and accountability among the five permanent members of the Security Council. It requires a public debate when a veto is exercised. Since its adoption in 2022, this mechanism has been activated 15 times, including on issues such as Ukraine, Syria, and Iran. This debate will allow the Russian representative to explain the motivations behind their veto.
The meeting is not a review or revision of the Security Council's decision. Its goal is to raise the political and diplomatic cost of using the veto and discourage its use. The debate will not lead to an automatic adoption of a resolution or a new decision on the Western Sahara issue. A factual report will be established and transmitted to the President of the Security Council.
The UN General Assembly's session is a response to Russia's veto on the US resolution to renew MINURSO's mandate. The discussion will center on the use of the veto power, not the situation in Western Sahara. This procedure is part of a pre-existing institutional framework, which aims to promote accountability and transparency.
The mechanism was established to allow the General Assembly to examine the circumstances surrounding a veto and to encourage the five permanent members to use their veto power judiciously. Russia's veto was exercised on a resolution supported by a majority of the Security Council members. The debate will provide an opportunity for Russia to justify its decision.
The session will not result in a new decision or resolution on the Western Sahara issue. The report produced by the General Assembly will be a factual account of the debate, without recommendations or decisions. It will be transmitted to the President of the Security Council as part of the institutional dialogue between the two UN bodies.
The discussion on Russia's veto is part of a broader effort to promote accountability and transparency within the UN Security Council. The use of the veto power has been a contentious issue, with some arguing that it can be used to block important decisions. The General Assembly's session will provide a platform for member states to discuss the implications of Russia's veto.
Key points
- The UN General Assembly will discuss Russia's veto on the US resolution to renew MINURSO's mandate, focusing on the use of veto power, not the Western Sahara issue.
