Illustration by Nida Meyer
Vetoing Humanity:
How a few powerful nations hijacked global peace and why reform is needed at the UN Security Council
Peace cannot thrive when throttled by a UN Security Council that is no longer fit for purpose. Conflict is rising at an alarming level around the world, fueling human suffering that is outpacing our ability to help.
Oxfam and partners are at UNGA 79 this year, to call for a wholesale reform of the UN Security Council that starts with abolishing the veto power of the "elite club" - five permanent members China, France, Russia, the UK and the US.
At the Summit of the Future in 2024, Oxfam urges the UN member states to use this opportunity to take decisive and bold action to rebuild a more equal, inclusive, efficient, and responsive system. This will ensure the world's highest body fulfils its mandate to bring global peace and security.
What does it say about a Security Council that was meant to protect global peace, but millions are still trapped in conflict?
See our latest report and learn more on how the system is failing and why urgent reform is needed.
This report aims to highlight the humanitarian consequences of the dysfunction at the UN Security Council and humanitarian finance mechanisms. A few powerful states are obstructing peace processes and undermining international laws which should be equally binding for all people. There are 23 protracted crises examined in this report, with case studies on the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria and Ukraine. The growth of humanitarian needs, gaps in humanitarian funding, and the impacts of veto and penholding power are explored.
Oxfam at UNGA 2024
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the UN, comprising all Member States, responsible for appointing the Secretary-General on the recommendation of the Security Council; electing the non-permanent members of the Security Council, and approving the UN budget.
Oxfam leaders, experts, and partners are joining the UN 79th General Assembly, Summit of the Future, and Climate Action week in New York, hosting and attending events focused on UN Security Council Reform, gender, digital rights, inequality, climate action, and humanitarian issues. They will be urging global leaders to take bold decisions and action as they deliberate on the pressing issues of our time.
Conflict is on the rise fuelling suffering for millions of people worldwide.
In just 23 of the world’s worst conflicts people urgently needing aid have more than doubled over the decade. Yet, the UN Security Council remains paralyzed as a few powerful nations exploit their veto and other negotiating powers to suit their interests, stalling progress on peace.
We need a system that puts people and peace above politics. That works for all of humanity not a few powerful nations. It starts with abolishing the UN Security Council veto.
China, France, Russia, UK, and the US account for less than 25% of world population but for the majority of global arms sales.
Those same countries have exclusive voting powers at the UN Security Council, too often using them to suit their military interests and alliances, blocking efforts for peace. This Summit of the Future offers a chance to reshape the Council and put people and peace before arms.
It's high time we challenge this status quo and rally behind the cause of humanity.
UN Security Council casts nearly all vetoes last decade on Syria, Palestine and Ukraine, robbing opportunities for peace
Ahead of the UN Summit for the Future, Oxfam calls for reform of the UN Security Council to stop the “Permanent Five” from being their own “judge and jury”
The UN Security Council (UNSC) is failing people living in conflict, with Russia and the United States particularly responsible for abusing their veto power which is blocking progress toward peace in Ukraine, Syria, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel.
27 out of 30 UN Security Council vetoes cast on 23 of the world’s most notorious conflicts over the past 10 years were on only on just three conflicts.
The UN Security Council exclusive club of China, France, Russia, UK and US are exploiting their veto and negotiating powers to suit their own geopolitical interests.
These vetoes have blocked progress on peace, and failed millions of people trapped in these conflicts.
Conflict remains the primary driver of human suffering and humanitarian need.
This has triggered massive funding needs. Between 2014 and 2023, the UN appeal has nearly tripled from $20 billion to over $56 billion – but less than half of this amount was met last year.
Media Advisory: Oxfam and partners at UNGA79
Oxfam leaders, experts, and partners are joining the UN 79th General Assembly, Summit of the Future, and Climate Action week in New York, hosting and attending events focused on UN Security Council Reform, gender, digital rights, inequality, climate action, and humanitarian issues. They will be urging global leaders to take bold decisions and action as they deliberate on the pressing issues of our time.
Demand a UN that works for all.
As the UN Security Council remains paralyzed, millions like Mahmoud have lost their entire life's work. A handful of powerful nations have abused their veto powers at the Council for their own short-term political gains. We need an overhaul of the veto system. People must come before politics. It's time to demand a UN that works for everyone, not just the few.
We need change.
Ghada continues to work in #Gaza, despite witnessing the horrors of war daily. Millions of Palestinians like her are suffering as the UN Security Council remain paralyzed by the interests of a few powerful nations.
The veto must be abolished.
Nobody should have to be this resilient. Lack of physical and mental peace stunts recovery and damages entire countries. From 2014-2024, the US and Russia, as part of the permanent 5, abused their UN veto powers, leaving people like Oleksandra without peace.
