G-4 nations want UN Security Council expansion vote in July News
G-4 nations want UN Security Council expansion vote in July

[JURIST] Four countries seeking permanent representation [JURIST report] on the UN Security Council [official website] – Japan, Brazil, India, and Germany – said Wednesday at a foreign ministry meeting in Brussels that they would request a July vote on their Security Council reform resolution [draft, PDF]. The countries, known collectively as the G-4, originally planned to call for a vote later this month but decided to delay based upon input from the US and Africa, according to Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura [official profile]. The G-4 has proposed six more permanent seats on the Security Council, two of which would be given to Africa, and also has suggested delaying the veto rights of new members for 15 additional years. India nemisis Pakistan and UN veto-holder China have already voiced their opposition to the proposal [JURIST report]. The US has said it will support expanding the council [JURIST report] by "two or so" seats. The four countries need at least a vote of two-thirds to pass the resolution. From Japan, Kyodo News has more.

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