An insightful study has brought critical attention to the role of small states within the United Nations (UN) and the pressing need for reform within the UN Security Council (UNSC) to better accommodate these nations.
The study explores the dynamic participation of small states, such as St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), in the UN and outlines several key challenges and recommendations for enhancing their influence on the global stage.
The paper, authored by Dr. Kai-Ann Skeete, Trade Research Fellow at the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services at The UWI, Cave Hill Campus, delves into the strategic efforts and campaigns of SVG within the UN, illustrating how small states, despite their limited resources, have leveraged multilateralism to assert their influence and contribute to global governance, particularly through the UNSC. The study emphasises that small states can play a significant role in international affairs by utilising strategic leadership and positioning.
Central to the study is the argument that strategic leadership and positioning are crucial for small states operating in multilateral spaces. Dr. Skeete highlights how SVG, through its active participation in the UN General Assembly and leadership roles such as chairing the UN’s Fifth Committee and presiding over the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), managed to elevate its profile and exert significant influence on the global stage. This strategic approach allowed SVG to be recognised as a thought leader within the UN, despite its small size.
The paper also examines SVG’s innovative long-term campaign in its bid for a seat on the UNSC. The campaign, under the slogan “Friends of All, We Strive for a Better World”, focused on expanding diplomatic relations and advocating for principles like peace, development, and adherence to international law.
Dr. Skeete, who is also a specialist in international relations with a focus on small states’ diplomacy, attributes the campaign’s success to the power of ideas and principled positions, demonstrating that small states can effectively compete on the global stage through creativity and determination.
Furthermore, the study underscores the critical importance of multilateralism for small states. According to Dr. Skeete, multilateralism provides these nations with a valuable platform to influence global affairs, allowing them to address issues such as climate change and international security on equal footing with larger states. This commitment to multilateralism is seen as essential for small states, which often rely on international cooperation to achieve their foreign and domestic policy goals.
A significant portion of the paper is dedicated to advocating for UNSC reform. Dr. Skeete argues that the UNSC must be adaptable to changes in the international environment, including shifts in state power, to effectively fulfill its mandate. The study calls for a re-evaluation of the council’s current structure to ensure it can continue to mobilise states and address global crises effectively.
In addition to calls for reform, the paper addresses the challenges of maintaining the status quo within the UNSC. Dr. Skeete notes that permanent members of the council often resist expansion efforts to preserve their privileged positions, which can hinder the effectiveness of the UNSC. While expansion could improve representation, the paper warns that it might also make the council more cumbersome and less effective in decision making.
One of the most significant recommendations in the study is the proposal for a permanent seat for small states on the UNSC. Dr. Skeete argues that small states, particularly those vulnerable to climate change and other global threats, deserve a permanent voice in the council to ensure their concerns are adequately addressed. This proposal underscores the need for the UNSC to be more inclusive and representative of the global community it serves.
The paper, which was first presented at the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) Global Online Event, 25-27 June 2020, is now featured in the Handbook on Governance in International Organizations, edited by Alistair D. Edgar, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada. It highlights the essential contributions of small states to the UN and the need for reforms that would allow these nations to participate more fully and effectively in global governance. The study serves as a timely reminder of the importance of inclusivity and equity in international decision-making processes, particularly as the world faces increasingly complex and interconnected challenges.
