Leaders call for reform in outdated UN Security Council

NEW YORK

The UN Security Council must be revamped in order to reflect present day realities, leaders of Brazil, Germany, India and Japan said Saturday.

The appeal was made in a joint statement following a summit of the four countries known as the G-4 at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York.

The leaders are in the U.S. for the 70th UN General Assembly meetings.

"The G-4 leaders stressed that a more representative, legitimate and effective Security Council is needed more than ever to address the global conflicts and crises, which had spiraled in recent years," read the statement.

The leaders "shared the view that this can be achieved by reflecting the realities of the 21st century, where more member states have the capacity and willingness to take on major responsibilities with regard to maintenance of international peace and security", it added.

The structure of the 15-member Council is facing criticism for the overriding influence of permanent members whose national interests regularly trump action in humanitarian crises, most recently in Syria and Ukraine.

Many have described the privileges held by the five permanent members -- the U.K., China, France, Russia and the U.S. -- anachronistic and far from representative of the cultural and geopolitical realities of the world.

The G-4 statement called for permanent seats on an extended and reformed Security Council for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan; and also expressed support for Africa's permanent representation in the body.