FRAGMENTATION LEADING TO A GRIDLOCK? - INSIGHTS FROM THE DEBATE IN THE UNSC

SPUTNIK NEWS - Today, the permanent countries of the Security Council, namely USA, Russia, UK, China and France, as well as the ten non-permanent countries and several observer states attended the SGMUN Conference in St. Gallen in order to agree on the frame and the content of the desired reform. Right from the start, the USA and Russia issued their preference to keep the number of new permanent states under 21, and instead grant easier access for the non-members of the Security Council to future meetings. Thereby, for example Syria could be added to the ''exclusive SC organization'' (US-delegate) in order to shape a more efficient approach to security politics. Even though Germany, France, UK and China supported these values, Mexico remained unsatisfied and refused to join the block, which favoured Brazil, Germany and Japan for the new permanent positions. 

Mexico expressed its perspective on representing over half a billion Spanish speakers worldwide and furthermore contributing financially to the UN organization. At that point, the delegate of Ukraine didn't miss the chance and contributed with its similar statement to the emergence of a second block. Finally, when Italy expressed its willingness to fight for a ''more diverse and open'' Security Council, nothing stood in the way of a second coalition. From there on, the differences concerning the future of the UNSC have been growing even further apart: The USA and Japan could find a solution on the veto powers, whereas for the  Italy-group these issues were not on the agenda-setting; the first block already introduced two African candidates for the permanent seats, whereas the second coalition discussed the importance of a global incorporation. - As we can see, the debates will not get less sophisticated during the upcoming sessions… one can hope that the observed fragmentation will not lead to a political standstill.