Namibia has called for the immediate reform of the United Nations Security Council to address inequity and injustice, reflect present realities, and ensure the legitimacy of its decisions.

This follows the recent failure by the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution granting the State of Palestine full membership in the United Nations.

In a media statement expressing disappointment over the veto, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Peya Mushelenga, says the US's prevention of Palestine gaining full membership in the Assembly represents a setback to the international community's efforts to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the unwarranted and protracted Israel-Palestine conflict.

As a country that has been denied its inalienable right to self-determination for a long time, Namibia, Dr. Mushelenga says, shares the pain of the people of Palestine and will continue to stand firm in the call to the UN to exert pressure on the United Nations Security Council to exercise its assigned charter responsibility.

The minister says that the use of the veto in the UNSC to deny Palestine its legitimate right to UN membership is testimony that some powerful member states of the UN value their national interests at the expense and detriment of the values and norms of the international community.

The State of Palestine applied to become a member of the UN in accordance with the UN Charter, which states, "Membership in the United Nations is open to all other peace-loving states that accept the obligations contained in the present Charter and, in the judgement of the Organisation, are able and willing to carry out these obligations."

Furthermore, Palestine has had observer status at the UN since 2012 and has lobbied for years to gain full membership, which would amount to recognition of Palestinian statehood. 

Not only that, but the State of Palestine is recognised by 138 out of 193 member states.

The vote in the fifteen-member security council ended twelve in favour, with the US opposing and two abstentions, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.