UNGA passes resolution requiring permanent UNSC members to explain veto power use

NEW YORK, UN. April 26 (Interfax) - The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has passed a resolution requiring the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to explain the use of their veto power at meetings, UNGA President Abdulla Shahid said without holding a vote due to the absence of requests for it.

China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have veto power in the UNSC.

Liechtenstein initially proposed this measure as a simple procedural reform of the UN. About 60 countries, including the U.S., supported the document before it was submitted for the consideration.

According to the draft resolution, the UNGA president must convene the General Assembly in ten days after one or several permanent members of the UNSC use their veto power in order to hold debates about the situation.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia is ready to explain its use of the veto in the UN Security Council at meetings of the UN General Assembly and will support a relevant resolution if there is consensus.