There should also be a permanent slot for one representative each from Latin America, Africa and Asia. Sceptics point to potential problems. South Asian rivals India and Pakistan, for example, would do everything possible to block permanent status for the other. In addition, the proposals call for a further four non-permanent members, making a total of 24 council members. Non-permanent members are elected annually.
All members have an equal vote, but permanent members also have a right of veto.
The review of peacekeeping bills, which has to be conducted through a committee of member nations, would be intended to help put the faltering and cash-strapped peacekeeping department on a firmer financial footing. Both the full 15-member council and its core of permanent members will issue declarations for the day. The scale was established in 1973 to cover an operation in Sinai and has never been revised. For example, the 1973 scale assesses that the United States pay a 30 per cent premium on top of its share of peacekeeping costs, while China's premium is less than 1 per cent, a gap that has rankled US officials. Russia is still assessed as if it were the Soviet Union.