Why have Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan sought changes to the United Nations Security Council?

Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan—collectively known as the G-4—have sought changes to the United Nations Security Council primarily to obtain permanent membership or special status within the body.1

These nations argue that the current composition of the Security Council, particularly its five permanent members, reflects the global power structure as it existed at the end of World War II, a time when much of the world remained under colonial rule. Critics contend that this structure is outdated and fails to represent the contemporary geopolitical landscape.1

In pursuit of reform, the G-4 countries have proposed increasing the total number of Security Council seats to 25. This plan includes the addition of six new permanent members: one for each of the four G-4 nations and two for Africa. Beyond these specific membership goals, broader reform efforts have also focused on making the council's internal processes more transparent.1