France [Images] has made a strong case for expansion of the UN Security Council and Group of eight industrialised nations, saying 'we cannot wait any longer' to bring in countries like India and China into G-8.

"The 21st century world cannot be governed with the institutions of the 20th century," French President Nicolas Sarkozy told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

"Let today's major powers and the powers of tomorrow unite to shoulder together the responsibilities their influence give them in world affairs," Sarkozy, who is the current president of the EU, said.

He favoured expansion of the powerful 15-member Council and G-8, saying that it is not just 'a matter fairness' but a necessary condition for 'being able to act effectively'.

"We cannot wait any longer to enlarge the Security Council. We cannot wait any longer to turn the G8 into the G13 or G14 and to bring in China, India, South Africa [Images], Mexico and Brazil [Images]," said Sarkozy, who will host Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] on September 30.

India is among the countries which are strong favourites for becoming a permanent member in an expanded Council. Currently, the permanent members are the United States, Britain, France, Russia [Images] and China.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said 'only legitimate and effective instruments can assure collective security'.

"The United Nations has spent 15 years discussing the reform of the Security Council. Today's structure has been frozen for six decades and does not relate to the challenges of today's world," he said.