Delhi Public School Bareilly Model United

Nations 2025
United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Agenda: Reinforcing International Peace and Security: Addressing
Protracted Conflicts and the Limitations of the P5 Veto in the Modern Era

Message from the Chairperson

Dear Delegates,
A warm welcome to the Delhi Public School Bareilly Model United Nations 2025 and the
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) committee! As your Chairperson, I'm thrilled to
lead you through an agenda that hits at the very core of global governance: Reinforcing
International Peace and Security: Addressing Protracted Conflicts and the Limitations of
the P5 Veto in the Modern Era.
The UNSC is the world stage for resolving crises, from Syria's enduring conflict to
Ukraine's recent deterioration, but the Permanent Five (P5) veto usually puts a hold on
progress. This guide is your arsenal—full of context, challenges, and questions to
engage your research and debate. Represent your country with assurance, work with
others, and make suggestions that might reshape global peace.

Looking forward to your ideas on action. Let's make this conference meaningful!

Best wishes,
Rashi Chauhan
Chairperson, UNSC
DPS Bareilly MUN 2025

Committee Introduction

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), established in 1945, is the UN’s
powerhouse for maintaining international peace and security. With 15 members—five
permanent (P5: China, France, Russia, UK, USA) with veto authority and ten
non-permanent members elected for two-year terms—it can pass binding resolutions,
deploy peacekeepers, and authorize force.
The P5 veto, rooted in Article 27 of the UN Charter, allows any permanent member to
block decisions, a mechanism designed for consensus but now a frequent barrier in
crises. Non-permanent members influence the agenda during their monthly presidency,
yet the P5 dominate. In this committee, you’ll simulate the UNSC, balancing national
interests with global stability.

Agenda Overview

This agenda tackles two critical issues:

1.​ Protracted Conflicts: Long-standing wars like Syria (2011–present), Ukraine

(2014–present), and Yemen (2014–present) challenge the UNSC’s ability to act,
worsened by humanitarian crises and P5 divisions.​

2.​ P5 Veto Limitations: Over 200 vetoes since 1945 (e.g., Russia’s 153, USA’s 87)
have sparked calls for reform, questioning the veto’s role in modern conflicts and
mass atrocities.​

Your task is to propose actionable resolutions to resolve conflicts and address veto
constraints, blending diplomacy with innovation.

Historical Context

Origins and Evolution

●​ 1945: The UNSC formed post-WWII to prevent future conflicts, with the P5 veto
ensuring major power agreement.​

●​ Cold War (1945–1989): U.S.-Soviet rivalry led to 193 vetoes, though the 1950
Korea resolution passed during a USSR absence.​

●​ Post-Cold War (1990–present): Active in the Balkans and Somalia, but failures
in Rwanda (1994) and Srebrenica (1995) highlighted veto-related inaction.​

Key Conflicts and Veto Impact

 ●​ Syria: Russia and China’s 20+ vetoes blocked sanctions on Assad, leaving
500,000 dead and 13 million displaced.​

●​ Ukraine: Russia’s 2022 invasion vetoes paralyzed the UNSC, shifting focus to
the General Assembly.​

●​ Yemen: P5 splits (U.S./UK vs. Russia) limited action, with 370,000 deaths and 24
million needing aid.​

Reform Efforts

●​ 1990s–2000s: The G4 (India, Brazil, Germany, Japan) and African Union pushed
for new permanent seats and veto limits.​

●​ 2020s: Post-Ukraine and Gaza, leaders like Zelenskyy and Sierra Leone’s Bio
called for veto reform, with proposals like France-Mexico’s atrocity restraint
gaining support.​

Current Landscape

Protracted Conflicts

●​ Syria: Ongoing violence, with vetoes stalling probes into chemical weapons use.​

●​ Ukraine: Russia’s war has killed thousands and disrupted global markets, with
UNSC sidelined.​

●​ Yemen: A humanitarian crisis with 24 million in need, hampered by P5

disagreements.​

●​ Other Hotspots: Myanmar, Sudan, and Israel-Palestine test the UNSC’s reach.​

Veto Challenges

●​ Credibility Gap: Frequent vetoes (e.g., Russia on Syria, U.S. on Israel) erode
trust.​
 ●​ Reform Moves: The 2015 France-Mexico initiative urges P5 restraint in atrocity
cases; the 2022 General Assembly resolution (A/RES/76/262) mandates
post-veto meetings.​

●​ Representation Push: Africa, Asia, and Latin America seek more permanent
seats.​

Emerging Issues

●​ New Threats: Cyberattacks and climate-induced conflicts add complexity.​

●​ Regional Roles: The African Union and NATO step in where the UNSC lags.​

Key Discussion Points

1.​ Protracted Conflicts:​

○​ How can the UNSC resolve ongoing wars despite P5 involvement?​

○​ What enhanced peacekeeping strategies could work in Syria or Ukraine?​

○​ Should regional organizations play a bigger role?​

2.​ P5 Veto Reform:​

○​ Is limiting or suspending the veto feasible (e.g., for atrocities)?​

○​ How can the UNSC balance P5 power with urgent action?​

○​ Should new permanent members get veto rights?​

3.​ UNSC Modernization:​

○​ How can the Council better reflect today’s global makeup?​

○​ What are the hurdles to reform without P5 consent?​

 ○​ How can non-permanent members drive change?​

4.​ Future Challenges:​

○​ How should the UNSC address cyber or climate security threats?​

○​ Can collaboration with other UN bodies improve outcomes?​

Country Perspectives

●​ USA: Supports action against rivals but vetoes for allies (e.g., Israel); open to
reform but not veto abolition.​

●​ Russia: Uses veto to shield Syria and itself; resists reform.​

●​ China: Vetoes for stability (e.g., Myanmar); favors gradual change.​

●​ France/UK: Veto-free since 1989; back restraint and new seats.​

●​ India: Pushes for a permanent seat to represent the Global South.​

●​ African Union: Seeks two permanent seats with veto power.​

●​ Small Island States: Advocate for climate security and non-permanent roles.​

Research your country’s UNSC stance to shape your strategy.

Delegate Prep Guide

1.​ Research Deeply:​

○​ Explore UN.org, CIA World Factbook, and news (BBC, Al Jazeera) for
your country’s position.​

○​ Review veto records and reform proposals.​

 2.​ Submit a Position Paper:​

○​ One page, covering both agenda topics. Email to [secretariat email] by

[e.g., Nov 1, 2025]. No pre-written resolutions—create them during
committee!​

3.​ Engage Effectively:​

○​ Collaborate in caucuses, draft resolutions live, and follow DPS Bareilly

MUN’s NMUN-style rules.​

4.​ Propose Solutions:​

○​ Suggest peacekeeping upgrades, veto reforms, or regional partnerships.

Align with your nation’s goals and the UNSC’s mission.​

Resources

●​ UN Official Sources:​

○​ UN Security Council: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/​

○​ UN Charter: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter​

○​ Veto List: https://research.un.org/en/docs/sc/quick/veto​

○​ General Assembly Resolution A/RES/76/262:

https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n21/417/98/pdf/n2141798.pdf?to
ken=6W8n7Y3xK5fQj8mL7k&fe=true​

●​ Reports and Studies (PDFs):​

○​ UN Secretary-General’s Report on the Protection of Civilians in Armed

Conflict (2024):
https://www.un.org/peacebuilding/sites/www.un.org.peacebuilding/files/doc
uments/sg_report_on_poc_2024.pdf​
 ○​ International Crisis Group: “Ten Conflicts to Watch in 2025”:
https://www.crisisgroup.org/global/ten-conflicts-watch-2025​

○​ ReliefWeb: “Yemen Humanitarian Update” (April 2025):

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-humanitarian-update-april-2025​

●​ News Outlets:​

○​ BBC World News: https://www.bbc.com/news​

○​ Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/​

○​ The Indian Express: https://indianexpress.com/​

●​ Analytical Insights:​

○​ Council on Foreign Relations: “The UN Security Council”:

https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/un-security-council​

○​ International Crisis Group: https://www.crisisgroup.org/

Closing Note

The UNSC faces a defining moment. Protracted conflicts and veto limitations test its
ability to secure peace. As delegates, you have the power to propose transformative
solutions. Research thoroughly, debate passionately, and let’s make DPS Bareilly MUN
2025 a milestone for global cooperation. See you in session!