Richard Hartwig calls for reforming the UN system at Dubai Press Club

During his interaction with the media, Professor Hartwig elaborated on his idea of regional representation at the UN Security Council as a necessary step to achieve the reform that brings back to the United Nations its lost power and legitimacy.

Professor Hartwig was clear that 'a satisfactory reform of the UN Security Council is important, but currently impossible given the veto power of the five permanent members and an absence of consensus among other members of the UN'.

In his Regional/Economic Proposal (REP), professor Hartwig calls for a radical change in the core structure of the United Nations, noting that this would require revising the 60 years' old UN Charter.

He argues that the world is changing from a uni-polar to a multi-polar world, which is more realistic without ignoring the fact that a major world crisis would lead to look at this proposal as politically feasible, way before the year 2020, the deadline set by the High-Level Panel for a review of the composition of the Security Council.

Professor Hartwig gave many examples of emerging super powers that deserve a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, such as India and Japan, compared respectively with Great Britain (in terms of population) and Russia (in terms of Gross Domestic Product), but without reforms this will be impossible.

He further explained that The Regional Economic Proposal envisions a UN Security Council composed of ten geographic Regions; each presided over by anchor or co-anchor countries.

He added that a Region could only vote if supported by member countries representing 60% of its population and 60% of its GDP (PPP).

In emergencies, only anchor and co-anchor countries would vote and there would be no veto power. Regions with 18% of the combined GDP of all Regions would receive two UNSC votes on a permanent basis.

He explained that The UAE would have a permanent vote in the Security Council under normal conditions.

It would vote its population and its GDP (PPP). In emergencies only anchor and co-anchor countries would vote.

In the Middle East, Pakistan and Egypt would rotate in 'A' seat (5 and 3 years respectively), while Iran and Turkey would rotate in 'B' seat for three years each.

Richard Hartwig, a graduate of Southern Illinois University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has conducted research as a Rotary Fellow in Argentina and as a Fulbright Fellow in Colombia, there producing Roads to Reason: Transportation, Administration and Rationality in Colombia.

Since 1990, Professor Hartwig has taught in four different universities in Mexico, including Monterrey Technological Institute.

He is currently Professor in the Department of Political Science at Texas A&M University-Kingsville where he teaches courses in comparative politics, international relations, and American government.