United Nations, Jan 27 (NationPress) France has urged for text-based negotiations aimed at accelerating reforms within the Security Council and incorporating permanent members to bolster its legitimacy.

During a statement on Monday, France’s Permanent Representative Jerome Bonnafont emphasized that France “will remain fully committed to advancing Security Council reform to improve its representativeness and legitimacy through an increase in both permanent and non-permanent membership categories.”

“France believes that reform in this area is achievable and that negotiations should commence based on a draft text, without the need for an elusive consensus, which is not mandated by the Charter,” he declared during the Council’s high-level debate on “Reaffirming International Rule of Law.”

The reform initiative, known as Inter-Governmental Negotiation (IGN), is currently stymied by a small coalition of nations led by Italy, which has employed procedural tactics to block the adoption of a negotiating text that would outline the agenda for discussions and monitor progress.

This coalition, calling itself Uniting for Consensus and including Pakistan, insists that reforms must reach a consensus before any negotiating text can be adopted, placing the IGN in a Catch-22 situation, where a consensus is unattainable without a foundational negotiating text.

India and several other nations have called for the IGN to adopt a negotiating text or draft to facilitate substantive advancements.

During the debate on Monday, India and the Secretary-General advocated for prompt reforms of the Council.

“The urgent need to reform the Security Council and add permanent members is critical to ensuring that the international rule of law is effective, especially as the world organization is currently facing significant strain,” stated India’s Permanent Representative P Harish.

He noted that “the paralysis and ineffectiveness in addressing conflicts remain serious shortcomings,” challenging the UN’s credibility.

Guterres, who cautioned that “worldwide, the rule of law is being supplanted by the law of the jungle,” stressed the necessity of immediate reforms to the Council.

“Only the Council possesses the authority to make binding decisions for all, and no other entity or ad-hoc coalition can legitimately compel compliance from all member states regarding peace and security decisions,” he stated.

“This is why reform is crucial; we must act swiftly to enhance the representation and efficiency of this Council,” he insisted.

France supports India obtaining a permanent seat on a reformed Council, which would also recognize African nations.

Bonnafont asserted, “Upholding international law also entails acknowledging that multilateralism must evolve. In 2026, France will persist in advocating for a more representative, effective, and operational global governance.”

He added that this also applies to the Council.

The reforms are vital considering that “violations of international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law, are alarmingly prevalent, as seen in Sudan, the Great Lakes, Gaza, or Ukraine,” he remarked.

“Nonetheless, the obstructive positions adopted by certain States hinder the Security Council’s capacity to respond effectively,” he noted. “Every moment of silence regarding these violations breeds mistrust and diminishes our collective credibility.”

Despite being a permanent member with veto powers within the Council, France advocates for limiting its usage to prevent it from being employed when national interests are at stake or when grave humanitarian law violations occur.