The UN General Assembly took a first step on Tuesday to put the five permanent members of the Security Council under the spotlight whenever they use their veto power, a move highlighted by Russia's veto threat paralysing any action by the UN’s most powerful body on the Ukraine war.

A resolution adopted by consensus in the 193-member assembly amid a burst of applause does not eliminate or limit the veto power of the Security Council's permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France.

But for the first time, the General Assembly will be required “to hold a debate on the situation” that sparks a veto in the Security Council within 10 working days.

Precedence will be given on the list of speakers to the permanent member which casts a veto.

The assembly isn’t required to take or consider any action under the resolution, but the discussion could put veto-wielders on the spot and let a raft of other countries be heard.

Liechtenstein’s UN ambassador, Christian Wenaweser, who spearheaded the resolution, which had been in the works for two years, has said it aims “to promote the voice of all of us who are not veto holders, and who are not on the Security Council, on matters of international peace and security because they affect all of us.”

Mr Wenaweser alluded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24 and the Security Council’s failure to take action when presenting the resolution on Tuesday in New York.

“There has never been a stronger need for effective multilateralism than today, and there has never been a stronger need for innovation in order to secure the central role and voice of the United Nations,” he said.

The resolution had about 80 co-sponsors, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

However, there were several detractors, including Russia and close ally Belarus, as well as current elected council members Gabon, India and other UN member nations such as Brazil.


Reporting by AP